Mental Health Carers NSW

Our Vision: Mental Health Carers NSW (MHCN) is the peak body for mental health carers in NSW for mental health carers, advocating for a Vision of safe and competent mental health services and systems that recognise and respect carers as partners in case planning and delivery, to achieve recovery.

Our Mission: MHCN’s Mission is to support, empower, capacity build, and advocate with mental health carers to ensure their voices and experiences are heard.

As a peak body, MHCN provides a strong voice for mental health carers, families, and friends to influence public and institutional policies and systems, such as:

  • Conduct research and develop policy and advice to government and sector that is supported by aggregated and diverse experience.
  • Advocacy and representation to government and decision makers.
  • Distributing information within the sector and community.
  • Sector and stakeholder consultation to understand on the ground knowledge and experiences.
  • Sector capacity building to support better service delivery and community organisations.
  • To help support and empower mental health carers, we also provide capacity building opportunities, educational events, webinars, and information.

How We Do This

  • Join our monthly Carer Connections Meetings online on ZOOM, run by our Senior Carer Peer Trainer.
  • Join our Carers of Forensic and Correctional Patients Network online on ZOOM, run by our Policy Coordinator and Carer Peer Participation Officer.
  • Check out our Peak Speaks Webinar Series, an online webinar for carers on a range of topics.
  • Subscribe to MHCN’s Weekly Digest e-newsletter here for the latest carer news, events, opportunities, and resources.
  • Check out our Quarterly News from the Network e-newsletter, with carer stories, the latest opportunities at MHCN, updates on what MHCN is currently working on, and a carer service spotlight.
  • Join the Mental Health Carer Advocacy Network, which is MHCN’s Membership Program.
  • Apply for the Eunice Lonergan Carer Respite Grants Program. If eligible, you can go into MHCN’s draws to win a $1000 travel voucher to use for a holiday from your caring duties.
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Training and Education

We develop and run a number of free educational workshops for mental health carers, families and friends, that are designed to inform and support carers in their caring role, as well as to better support their loved one.

Our Carer Peer Trainer facilitates live training sessions either in person or online via ZOOM. However, you can also watch the sessions as self-paced online modules that you can access, anywhere, anytime.

Currently, we run:

  • User’s Guide to the NSW Mental Health System
  • Recovery Oriented Practice
  • Inclusive Care Planning
  • Navigating Carer Support Systems
  • The Caring Journey
  • Carers and Advocacy: Foundations
  • Purposeful Storytelling
  • Healthy Boundaries
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Advocacy and Policy

  • MHCN regularly consults with NSW Health, the NSW Mental Health Commission, and other community managed organisations to advocate for the carer agenda and push for lived experience in service design and reform.
  • We hold consultations and focus groups with carers to provide feedback and advice around key policy areas or projects that impact mental health carers and their loved ones in NSW.
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About MHCN Information Session

If your staff or the carers you engage with are interested in learning more about MHCN and contributing towards systemic improvements, our experienced Carer Peer Facilitator, Anne Stedman, can visit your organisation or provide an online information session.

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