Helpful Supports and Services
The Family and Carer Mental Health Program
The Family and Mental Health Program (FCMHP) is funded by the NSW Government to deliver family-friendly mental health services across NSW.
The program works in partnership to improve the wellbeing of families and carers of people with mental health conditions, and the people they support by:
- offering education and training packages that teach families and carers about mental illness and its management, including how to help build coping skills and resilience
- providing information, resources, one-on-one support, advocacy and coordinating support groups
- supporting families and carers with additional needs and cultural diversity
- providing clinical services and delivering health promotion activities.
The program is delivered by a partnership between Local Health Districts (LHDs), the Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network (JHFMHN), and five community managed organisations (CMOs) :
- Stride (formerly Aftercare)
- CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes
- Mission Australia
- One Door Mental Health
- Uniting
More information on the Program, including a map and contact details of all locations, is located on the NSW Health website.
The Carer Gateway
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government program providing free services and support for carers.
If you care for a family member or friend with disability, a medical condition, mental illness, or who is frail due to age, then Carer Gateway can help you.
The Australian Government works with a range of health and carer organisations across Australia, known as Carer Gateway service providers, to deliver services to carers no matter where they live in Australia.
Carer Gateway provides many services to support carers in their caring role, including:
- in-person and online peer support groups
- tailored support packages to help with accessing planned respite, transport services, and more
- in-person and phone counselling
- in-person and online self-guided coaching
- online skills courses to support your wellbeing and understanding of legal responsibilities relating to the caring role
- access to emergency respite if you suddenly find you can’t provide care, for example if you become ill or injured.
Phone: 1800 422 737
Wayahead Mental Health Carer Information Line
The Wayahead Mental Health Carer Information Line, supported by MHCN, aims to help connect carers, families and friends of people living with a mental health condition to helpful services and supports in their local area to better support them in their caring role.
The Wayahead Mental Health Carer Information Line is available Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm excluding public holidays and end of year office shutdown.
Phone: 1300 850 236
Please note that the Wayahead Mental Health Carer Information Line is not operated by counsellors or mental health professionals and is not a crisis line.
If you are in crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 or if you are in need of immediate assistance, ring 000.
Wayahead Directory
Find mental health support near you.
Search the Wayahead Directory of mental health and community services for resources in your local area.
SANE Forums
Connect with people who understand what you’re going through, seek advice, and surround yourself with support. The SANE Forums are free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
Carers NSW
Carers NSW is the peak non-government organisation for carers in NSW, part of the National Carer Network and a member of Carers Australia. Carers NSW works with the other state and territory Carer Organisations. Their focus is on improving the lives of carers.
Carers NSW works with all carers regardless of their age, location, life-stage or circumstances. This includes those caring for individuals with support needs relating to ageing, disability, health and mental illness.
Carers NSW run a number of free training and educational events, information events, and social activities for carers, as well as having a range of helpful information and advice for carers on their website.
Phone: 02 9280 4744
Kookaburra Kids
The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation provides evidence based, age appropriate, prevention and early intervention mental health education programs to young people aged 8-18 years who are living in a family impacted by mental illness.
Kookaburra Kids aim is empowering young people to build resilience, lifelong knowledge and abilities, so they can reach their potential.
Phone: 1300 566 525
The NDIS
The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability, including psychosocial disability, to gain more time with family and friends, greater independence, access to new skills, jobs, or volunteering in their community, and an improved quality of life.
The NDIS also connects anyone with disability to services in their community.
This includes connections to doctors, community groups, sporting clubs, support groups, libraries and schools, as well as providing information about what support is provided by each state and territory government.
Phone: 1800 800 110