Carer Newsletter - Carers Week Special Edition

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A Mind e-newsletter for family, friends & carers

October 2014

Special Carers Week Edition

Welcome to Carers Week!

This week we celebrate carers week – a national event raising awareness about the important role carers play within our community.

We want to take a moment and recognise and celebrate carers and families’ part in supporting recovery. At Mind we believe families and carers should be acknowledged as partners in care; and also supported in their own right.

With so many events and activities across Victoria and South Australia we hope you find something special to celebrate your vital contribution (and maybe even pamper yourself). Happy Carers Week.

National carer guidelines being developed

People who regularly and voluntarily care for someone with a mental illness spend on average 104 hours per week in their caring role, often with very little support. To address this, a consortium of mental health organisations are developing a practical guide for improving the way organisations reach out to, and work with, carers.

The guide will support mental health service providers to work with carers in a more meaningful, engaging and inclusive manner. The Carer Fund, launched by Mind and Mental Health Carers Arafmi WA are jointly funding the project. This is the first investment made through the Carer Fund.

Mind carer strategic plan outlined

Mind recently signed off on a three year strategic plan for families and carers. The strategy outlines changes in terms of Mind's offering and how those services are to be delivered. Mind aims to be the provider of choice for carers and:

offer a product range that has a reputation for meeting carers' needs
be known for our consistent approach to family inclusive practice
be a reliable source of advocacy and information for and about carers.

To download a copy of the strategic plan click here.

Advance statements video now available

The Victorian government has developed an advance statement e-handbook and video. An advance statement is written by a person detailing their views and preferences for treatment in the event they become unwell and need compulsory mental health treatment.

Under the new Victorian Mental Health Act 2014, an authorised psychiatrist must have regard to the patient’s advance statement when treating them.

For more information about advanced statements click here

Upcoming Mind events

Victoria

Report back to the Victorian Community
When: Wednesday 12 November
Time: 12:00pm for a 12:30pm start (a light lunch will be provided at 12:00pm)
Where: Zinc at Federation Square, Corner Flinders and Swanston Streets
Melbourne
RSVP: No later than Wednesday 5 November.
Click here or call (03) 9455 7900

South Australia

Report back to the South Australian Community
When: Wednesday 19 November
Time: 12:00pm for a 12:30pm start (a light lunch will be provided at 12:00pm)
Where: Lyrics Room, Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Street Adelaide
RSVP: No later than Wednesday 5 November.
Click here or call (03) 9455 7900

Carers Week events

Carers Week garden tea party

Mental Health and autism spectrum carers are invited to join us for an indulgent afternoon garden tea party in the sunshine for Carers Week 2014.
Where: Ivanhoe
When: 1:00-3:30pm
For more info: contact Kara 8640 5677, Alice 8640 5673 or Gillian 8640 5674

Victorian Carers Week event guide

To download a copy of the Victorian Carers Week event guide click here

South Australian Carers Week event guide

To download a copy of the South Australian Carers Week event guide click here

Mind Activities

South Australia

Carer Respite

If you care for someone dealing with mental ill-health and feel that you could benefit from some support yourself, Mind can help. The Mind Carer Respite service is a three month program aimed at focusing on your needs and providing support to you in your caring role.

For more information call 1300 286 463

Support groups

Carer support group
Date: 12 November & 10 December
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
Venue: Mind SA state office, 210 Greenhill Road, Eastwood SA

For more information click here to email Gabby Harkin, Family and Carer Consultant or call Gabby on 0414785384

Victoria

Carers education workshops

Building Carer Resilience
How do carers build their own resilience to be able to face the challenges of supporting someone experiencing mental health issues? Learn self-care skills and feel more confident when communicating in difficult situations.
Date: 11 November
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Venue: Dandenong YPARC,
6-8 David Street, Dandenong

Challenging behaviours
One of the more difficult areas for carers of people experiencing mental health issues is that of challenging behaviours and setting and maintaining limits and clearly defined personal boundaries.
Date: 18 November
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Venue: Dandenong YPARC,
6-8 David Street, Dandenong

Recovery and hope
This workshop aims to assist families and carers of people experiencing mental health issues to understand and support recovery.
Date: 18 October
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Venue: Mind Recovery College Southern Campus,
3 Stanley Ave Cheltenham

OR

Date: 15 November
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm
Venue: Mind Hawthorn, 270 Auburn Road, Hawthorn

For more information call the Carer Helpline 1300 550 265.

Support groups

Borderline Personality Disorder Family and Carers
Open support and information group for carers of people with a Borderline Personality Disorder.
Date: 5 November, 3 December
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Grow Better Together Carers Support Group hosted by Mind
Open support group for carers of someone with a mental health issue to discuss the day-to-day issues of caring, and seek solutions through mutual support.
Date: 16 October, 6 November, 20 November
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Bipolar Consumer Support Group
Open support group for people experiencing bipolar disorder.
Date: 15 October, 19 November, 17 December
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm

For more information click here

The above support groups will be held at Mind Hawthorn, Ground Floor 270 Auburn Road, Hawthorn.

Tree of Life Group
Meet new friends, share ideas, discover hope and new directions by joining the Tree of Life Group for families and carers.
Date: For dates contact (03) 8102 7930
Time: 10:30am-1:30pm
Where: Mind North West, Suite 116/2A Hartington Street, Glenroy

This is just a snapshot of family and carer activities operated by Mind. For information about the range of activities available to carers, contact the Carer Helpline 1300 550 265.

Online carers forum

Check out our online forum where you can join in the conversation, and find support and information valuable to your carer role.

Click here