News

4th September, 2026

Mental Health Carers NSW and BEING – Mental Health Consumers, are urging the NSW Government to prioritise the next National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement, after it was pulled from today’s Health Ministers Meeting agenda. Discussions were postponed to December after Commonwealth and state and territory negotiations stalled over psychosocial support funding, leaving families […]

25th August, 2026

On 6 August, Mental Health Carers NSW joined five other leading mental health organisations, BEING, the Mental Health Coordinating Council, Wayahead, RANZCP NSW, and the Australian Society of Psychiatrists, in a joint statement responding to the NSW Government’s handling of the Bondi Junction Coronial Inquest recommendations. While the Government’s initial announcement suggested strong support for […]

25th August, 2026

NSW Ministry of Health is updating the NSW Health guidance for animal visits and interventions in NSW Health Services. They are seeking carers who support someone who uses an assistance animal or therapy animal. This includes carer(s) whose loved one has had, or would have benefited from, a visit from their pet while in hospital […]

5th August, 2026

NSW Mental Health Alliance Joint Statement3 August 2026 Mental Health Carers NSW has joined seven other leading mental health organisations in writing a joint letter to the Hon Rose Jackson, Minister for Mental Health, and the Hon Yasmin Catley MP, Minister for Police, welcoming last week’s announcement of a new health-led response model for mental […]

5th August, 2026

Last Wednesday, MHCN hosted a special event to celebrate the launch of our new podcast series, ‘Caring Between Minds – Mental Health Advocacy in Action.’ Co-hosted by MHCN CEO Jonathan Harms and podcast host Patty Kikos, the event featured the premiere of the official trailer, a sneak peek of Episode 1, and a panel discussion […]

20th July, 2026

Mental Health Carers NSW is proud to host a Wear It Purple Day event celebrating diversity, inclusion, and the voices of LGBTQIA+ young people, families, and carers. The event brings together lived experience speakers, carers, mental health professionals, and community members to discuss what meaningful, affirming support looks like for LGBTQIA+ young people and those […]

16th July, 2026

Ahead of our Member Survey and Mental Health Carer Issues Survey for 2026, we are pleased to present the results of our 2025 Member and Mental Health Carer Issues Survey. The 2025 Member and Mental Health Carer Issues Survey was conducted to ensure that MHCN’s advocacy, engagement and member programs and activities continue to reflect […]

13th July, 2026

As the peak body, MHCN works with and for mental health carers in NSW. We represent the voices and lived experience of mental health carers which help us to advocate systemically for mental health reform. We are currently recruiting to fill a vacancy for an Ordinary Board Member (OBM) on MHCN’s managing Board. MHCN is […]

13th July, 2026

Are you passionate about mental health reform and ensuring people’s voices are heard for systemic change?  Do you have experience working in an administrative setting and working within a diverse team?  Do you have a knack for organisation and efficiency? Do you have an eye for detail? Is initiative your middle name? Mental Health Carers […]

8th July, 2026

Thank you to the Mental Health Carer Advocacy Network (MHCAN) members who took part in our Carer Experiences of Crisis Response Survey in April 2026. The results confirm what we’ve long known: Carers are often left out of assessment, treatment planning and discharge, and what they’re calling for is better, more informed care for their […]

1st July, 2026

With great sadness, we announce that Anne Stedman, President of Mental Health Carers NSW (formerly Arafmi NSW), passed away on Wednesday 24th of June 2026 after a short illness. Anne will be remembered as a mother, a carer, a trainer, a Board member, President of MHCN, and a passionate advocate for families and carers supporting people with mental health concerns.  Starting in education as […]

22nd June, 2026

MHCN is thrilled to announce Season 1 of our new podcast series, ‘Caring Between Minds – Mental Health Advocacy in Action’ with a special launch event on Wednesday 29 July 2026. This series is dedicated to amplifying the voices of mental health carers and building greater awareness of carer lived experience throughout the mental health […]