Mental Health Carers NSW

Watching someone you care for struggling with a mental health condition can be difficult. Talking to them about your concerns can be even harder.

Try not to force the issue with your loved one as it might prevent them from seeking support. When speaking with them, be empathetic and nonjudgmental.

Be specific about what concerns you about what is going on, ask for their perspective, and try to understand what they are experiencing.

Try to come to a common understanding of what is going on, but more importantly, what the person dislikes about what is going on and what you will do about it together (and/or separately).

What not to do

  • Do not force them to talk if they don’t want to. Rather, let them know that you are there if they wish to talk in the future.
  • Everyone’s journey and experiences are different. Be mindful and respectful of your loved one’s perspective and opinions around their illness.
  • If you have legitimate concerns around the persons immediate health and safety contact 000, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467.
  • Do not blame the person for their mental health condition nor make fun of them.
  • Don’t make statements like “snap out of it”, “you’ll be fine” etc.
  • Avoid putting pressure on the person to talk and/or seek help.
  • Don’t use stigmatising words and language like “you’re crazy” etc.
  • You can check out MHCC’s Recovery Oriented Language Guide around the sort of language you should use

What to do

  • Find a comfortable and safe place to talk with your loved one. A busy café, food court or place with many people around might not be the best place to talk.
  • Give the person opportunities to talk openly how they are feeling.
  • Explain why you are concerned about them.
  • Respect how your loved one interprets and sees their symptoms, even if it may be different to your interpretation.
  • Be empathetic and listen non-judgmentally to their responses.
  • Do some research prior to your discussion.
  • Speak honestly about your concerns
  • If the person feels they do need help managing how they are feeling, discuss and encourage the use of professional help such as a GP or other mental health professionals.
  • They can ask their GP for a mental health plan to receive either free or at a subsidised rate sessions with a psychologist through Medicare.

Useful phrases to use when speaking with your loved one:

  • Using ‘I’ statements such as “I have noticed… and feel concerned”, instead of “you” statements.
  • “I am here for you.”
  • “I can see that this is a really hard time for you.”
  • “Have you thought about your doctor or calling support services?”

Follow MHCN on Instagram

@mentalhealthcarersnsw

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations Day, observed internationally each year on 3 December. In Australia, it is a day to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance of the 5.5 million people with disability in the country.

This year’s @idpwd_au theme, ‘Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future’, highlights the importance of creating a better future by including more people with disability as leaders.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to learn more and join the conversation to break down barriers and encourage a more diverse and inclusive community in Australia

#IDPwD #IDPwD2024

14 0
Open
International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations Day, observed internationally each year on 3 December. In Australia, it is a day to promote awareness, understanding and acceptance of the 5.5 million people with disability in the country. This year’s @idpwd_au theme, ‘Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future’, highlights the importance of creating a better future by including more people with disability as leaders. 🔗 Click the link in our bio to learn more and join the conversation to break down barriers and encourage a more diverse and inclusive community in Australia #IDPwD #IDPwD2024

📣 The @nswmhc have commissioned a survey as part of their annual monitoring of the Shifting the Landscape Suicide Prevention Framework for NSW.

The survey seeks views on suicide prevention services and support, from people living in NSW who:
- Have a lived experience of suicidal distress
- Have cared for or supported someone experiencing suicidal distress
- Have been bereaved or experienced a loss due to suicide, or
- Work in a lived experience role related to suicide prevention (e.g. Peer Workers)

Participation in this survey is invaluable and will play a crucial role in shaping better policies and services for suicide prevention across NSW. Completing the survey will take approximately 10 minutes and all information collected will be kept strictly confidential.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to access the survey and collection statement
🔗 Waiting for the Sun, acrylic painting by @owenlyonsart

9 0
Open
📣 The @nswmhc have commissioned a survey as part of their annual monitoring of the Shifting the Landscape Suicide Prevention Framework for NSW. The survey seeks views on suicide prevention services and support, from people living in NSW who: - Have a lived experience of suicidal distress - Have cared for or supported someone experiencing suicidal distress - Have been bereaved or experienced a loss due to suicide, or - Work in a lived experience role related to suicide prevention (e.g. Peer Workers) Participation in this survey is invaluable and will play a crucial role in shaping better policies and services for suicide prevention across NSW. Completing the survey will take approximately 10 minutes and all information collected will be kept strictly confidential. 🔗 Click the link in our bio to access the survey and collection statement 🔗 Waiting for the Sun, acrylic painting by @owenlyonsart

📣 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, and ongoing support for NSW Health stakeholder engagement while advocating for carer needs. Key activities included implementing the Carer Experience of Service Survey, contributing to the mid-term review of the Older Person’s Mental Health Services Plan, and collaborating with the Mental Health Alliance to support reforms with Mental Health Minister Hon. Rose Jackson.

The DAFP Team has worked closely with the NSW Disability Advocacy Network to produce several joint letters, submissions and statements to government on policy changes, the NDIS and the Disability Royal Commission. The team met quarterly with the Minister for Disability Inclusion, ensuring MHCN’s DAFP highlighted systemic issues affecting people with psychosocial disability, their carers, families, and kin.

In May 2024, MHCN underwent a two-day accreditation assessment with QIP accreditors. While assessors recommended improvements in risk management, feedback management, and quality improvement, MHCN is proud to have achieved accreditation under the Health and Community Services Standards. The assessors also commended MHCN’s professional, evidence-based advocacy for mental health carers in NSW.

MHCN would like to thank our carers, stakeholders, funders, Board, staff, students, volunteers, and donors for a fantastic 2023 – 2024 financial year and we look forward to sharing our plans for 2025 🙌

🔗 And these are only a few of the projects we have been working on, click the link in our bio to read more in our Annual Report!

6 0
Open
📣 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, and ongoing support for NSW Health stakeholder engagement while advocating for carer needs. Key activities included implementing the Carer Experience of Service Survey, contributing to the mid-term review of the Older Person’s Mental Health Services Plan, and collaborating with the Mental Health Alliance to support reforms with Mental Health Minister Hon. Rose Jackson. The DAFP Team has worked closely with the NSW Disability Advocacy Network to produce several joint letters, submissions and statements to government on policy changes, the NDIS and the Disability Royal Commission. The team met quarterly with the Minister for Disability Inclusion, ensuring MHCN’s DAFP highlighted systemic issues affecting people with psychosocial disability, their carers, families, and kin. In May 2024, MHCN underwent a two-day accreditation assessment with QIP accreditors. While assessors recommended improvements in risk management, feedback management, and quality improvement, MHCN is proud to have achieved accreditation under the Health and Community Services Standards. The assessors also commended MHCN’s professional, evidence-based advocacy for mental health carers in NSW. MHCN would like to thank our carers, stakeholders, funders, Board, staff, students, volunteers, and donors for a fantastic 2023 – 2024 financial year and we look forward to sharing our plans for 2025 🙌 🔗 And these are only a few of the projects we have been working on, click the link in our bio to read more in our Annual Report!

📣 The @nswmhc have commissioned a survey as part of their annual monitoring of the Shifting the Landscape Suicide Prevention Framework for NSW.

The survey seeks views on suicide prevention services and support, from people living in NSW who:
- Have a lived experience of suicidal distress
- Have cared for or supported someone experiencing suicidal distress
- Have been bereaved or experienced a loss due to suicide, or
- Work in a lived experience role related to suicide prevention (e.g. Peer Workers)

Participation in this survey is invaluable and will play a crucial role in shaping better policies and services for suicide prevention across NSW. Completing the survey will take approximately 10 minutes and all information collected will be kept strictly confidential.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to access the survey and collection statement
🔗 Waiting for the Sun, acrylic painting by @owenlyonsart

9 0
Open
📣 The @nswmhc have commissioned a survey as part of their annual monitoring of the Shifting the Landscape Suicide Prevention Framework for NSW. The survey seeks views on suicide prevention services and support, from people living in NSW who: - Have a lived experience of suicidal distress - Have cared for or supported someone experiencing suicidal distress - Have been bereaved or experienced a loss due to suicide, or - Work in a lived experience role related to suicide prevention (e.g. Peer Workers) Participation in this survey is invaluable and will play a crucial role in shaping better policies and services for suicide prevention across NSW. Completing the survey will take approximately 10 minutes and all information collected will be kept strictly confidential. 🔗 Click the link in our bio to access the survey and collection statement 🔗 Waiting for the Sun, acrylic painting by @owenlyonsart

📣 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, and ongoing support for NSW Health stakeholder engagement while advocating for carer needs. Key activities included implementing the Carer Experience of Service Survey, contributing to the mid-term review of the Older Person’s Mental Health Services Plan, and collaborating with the Mental Health Alliance to support reforms with Mental Health Minister Hon. Rose Jackson.

The DAFP Team has worked closely with the NSW Disability Advocacy Network to produce several joint letters, submissions and statements to government on policy changes, the NDIS and the Disability Royal Commission. The team met quarterly with the Minister for Disability Inclusion, ensuring MHCN’s DAFP highlighted systemic issues affecting people with psychosocial disability, their carers, families, and kin.

In May 2024, MHCN underwent a two-day accreditation assessment with QIP accreditors. While assessors recommended improvements in risk management, feedback management, and quality improvement, MHCN is proud to have achieved accreditation under the Health and Community Services Standards. The assessors also commended MHCN’s professional, evidence-based advocacy for mental health carers in NSW.

MHCN would like to thank our carers, stakeholders, funders, Board, staff, students, volunteers, and donors for a fantastic 2023 – 2024 financial year and we look forward to sharing our plans for 2025 🙌

🔗 And these are only a few of the projects we have been working on, click the link in our bio to read more in our Annual Report!

6 0
Open
📣 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, and ongoing support for NSW Health stakeholder engagement while advocating for carer needs. Key activities included implementing the Carer Experience of Service Survey, contributing to the mid-term review of the Older Person’s Mental Health Services Plan, and collaborating with the Mental Health Alliance to support reforms with Mental Health Minister Hon. Rose Jackson. The DAFP Team has worked closely with the NSW Disability Advocacy Network to produce several joint letters, submissions and statements to government on policy changes, the NDIS and the Disability Royal Commission. The team met quarterly with the Minister for Disability Inclusion, ensuring MHCN’s DAFP highlighted systemic issues affecting people with psychosocial disability, their carers, families, and kin. In May 2024, MHCN underwent a two-day accreditation assessment with QIP accreditors. While assessors recommended improvements in risk management, feedback management, and quality improvement, MHCN is proud to have achieved accreditation under the Health and Community Services Standards. The assessors also commended MHCN’s professional, evidence-based advocacy for mental health carers in NSW. MHCN would like to thank our carers, stakeholders, funders, Board, staff, students, volunteers, and donors for a fantastic 2023 – 2024 financial year and we look forward to sharing our plans for 2025 🙌 🔗 And these are only a few of the projects we have been working on, click the link in our bio to read more in our Annual Report!
Mental Health Carers NSW Logo

MHCN is proudly QIP accredited and funded by the NSW Ministry of Health.

QIC Accreditated
Donate
Feedback and Complaints Governance and Constitution MHCN Privacy Statement
ACNC Label

We pay respect to the Traditional Custodians and First Peoples of NSW, and acknowledge their continued connection to their country and culture.

Torres Strait Islander Flag Aboriginal Flag
© 2024 Mental Health Carers NSW Australian Website Design - Jala

Search Mental Health Carers NSW

About

Our Team Annual Reports Strategic Plan

Resources

Resource Library Carer Forums Resources for Carers

Advocacy & Policy

How We Advocate