News

5th June, 2025

Mental Health Carers NSW (MHCN) has welcomed the recent ABC Four Corners documentary for highlighting the serious gaps in our mental health system but urges stronger inclusion of the voices of people with lived experience, their families, and carers. MHCN cautions against media portrayals that stigmatise mental health consumers as dangerous and emphasises that true […]

2nd June, 2025

Are you a paid mental health carer peer worker or the manager of mental health carer peer workers? If you are, register for MHCN’s upcoming Mental Health Carer Peer Worker Community of Practice Co-Design Workshop. MHCN is hosting 2 x workshops: 1 to be held in person and 1 to be held online. Participants can attend either workshop.  The purpose […]

7th May, 2025

MHCN is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jenny Learmont, President of Mental Health Carers NSW (formerly Arafmi NSW), on the morning of Saturday, May 3rd, 2025. Jenny will be remembered as a determined long-term community advocate for better recognition and support of mental health carers, as well as for broader mental health reform. […]

1st May, 2025

Curious about mental health advocacy but not sure where to start? Carers & Advocacy: Foundations explores the essentials of advocacy, from identifying the different types and recognising the key groups involved, so carers can develop a general understanding and start to build their capacity to advocate for themselves and their loved ones. By the end […]

1st April, 2025

In partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health, Mental Health Carers NSW (MHCN) is seeking carers to participate in a focus group as part of the review of the NSW Older Persons Mental Health (OPMH) Community Services Guideline. This is a great opportunity for carers to share their experiences and help shape how NSW Health […]

12th March, 2025

Curious about mental health advocacy but not sure where to start? Carers & Advocacy: Foundations explores the essentials of advocacy, from identifying the different types and recognising the key groups involved, so carers can develop a general understanding and start to build their capacity to advocate for themselves and their loved ones. By the end […]

12th February, 2025

Mental Health Carers NSW and Lived Experience Australia are delighted to announce the next round of training dates for our Carer & Consumer Community of Practice; a program designed to further enhance the skills of advocates in mental health, including non-paid mental health carers, consumers, and community representatives. This free monthly program, consisting of six […]

30th January, 2025

What are the impacts of the crisis in psychiatry and the resignations of many public psychiatrists? To inform the NSW Health Mental Health Branch, MHCN has released a survey to learn more about the impacts of the crisis in psychiatry and the resignations of many public psychiatrists. We want to hear if the person you […]

28th January, 2025

MHCN’s Carer Connection Meetings are monthly online events hosted by Deputy CEO and Carer Peer Network Facilitator, Anne Stedman, on the first Friday of every month. These meetings offer a supportive and friendly space for mental health carers to connect, meet new people, and explore advocacy interests. By fostering mutual collaboration, these gatherings also play […]

20th January, 2025

The imminent resignation of more than 200 psychiatrists from the NSW public health system, in addition to 140 existing vacancies, highlights the critical state of mental health care in NSW. This shortfall will further intensify the difficulties and distress faced by individuals with acute mental health conditions, as well as their families and carers. According […]

14th January, 2025

On November 28, 2024, Mental Health Carers NSW (MHCN, formerly ARAFMI) celebrated the organisation’s 50th Anniversary with a special awards ceremony at Parliament House, Sydney. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal, drinks, and lucky door prizes in a day filled with celebration, hope, and recognition. The event was MC’ed by Julie McCrossin, former ABC and Channel […]

27th November, 2024

We are very excited to announce the release of our Annual Report, which includes key highlights and achievements of our work with and for mental health carers, friends and families from the 2023 – 2024 financial year. The Policy and Advocacy Team had a busy year, focusing on the NDIS review, the Disability Royal Commission, […]