From Grassroots to National Voice
Strengthening the National Voice of Mental Health Carers
The link between direct carer support and advocacy is integral to MHCAA. For over thirty-five years the MHCAA member organisations have provided support and advocacy to mental health carers. It is precisely this direct relationship between the provision of carer support, and the identification of carer needs which leads to the advocacy work being done by MHCAA members across Australia.
On a daily basis, carers contact MHCAA member organisations to seek information, support and assistance in supporting their loved ones who have a mental illness. This happens through such activities as the Carer Telephone Helplines, Carer Counselling, Advocacy workers, Support and Education groups. | Quick Links
You are Not Alone
Personal Stories From Grassroots to National Voice Hope and Recovery for Carers Peer Support  |
MHCAA members directly link these carer support needs to advocacy programs and activities at both area mental health service and government level when appropriate. The MHCAA is not an independent model but closely aligned and in many cases working in formal partnerships with Area Mental Health Services and other NGO’s across Australia.
The key positions within MHCAA are held by experienced mental health carers, and many others carers occupy paid and volunteer positions within MHCAA member organisations.
The Carer Consultative Structure within MHCAA
The key positions within MHCAA are held by experienced mental health carers, and many others carers occupy paid and volunteer positions within MHCAA member organisations.
The Carer Consultative Structure within MHCAA
- The needs of carers are identified through daily face to face interactions with mental health carers, through telephone contact and at area mental health facilities.
- Focus groups and carer needs studies are undertaken from time to time or as required.
- Individual advocacy cases are analysed to see if a systemic problem exists, and when identified this is communicated to the appropriate place (in some states this is direct to government, or in Victoria it is communicated to the Victorian Mental Health Carers Network).
The Validation of the MHCAA Approach
The fact that all MHCAA Board positions are held by experienced mental health carers, and nearly all senior managers across Australia are also carers, validates this model. The lived experience of mental health carers is foremost in the decision making processes of the member organisations.
The fact that all MHCAA Board positions are held by experienced mental health carers, and nearly all senior managers across Australia are also carers, validates this model. The lived experience of mental health carers is foremost in the decision making processes of the member organisations.
A National Partnership Approach
The MHCAA believes that the above elements of connectivity between face to face support and advocacy, the holding of key positions by experienced mental health carers, and a simple but effective consultative structure are in fact essential ingredients to any national mental health carer peak body.
The MHCAA believes that the above elements of connectivity between face to face support and advocacy, the holding of key positions by experienced mental health carers, and a simple but effective consultative structure are in fact essential ingredients to any national mental health carer peak body.
Carer Experiences of Care Update - May 2011
Within the Fourth National Mental Health Plan, Priority Area 4: Quality improvement and innovation , articulates the need to improve the carer and consumer experience of engagement with mental health services. This is also reflected in the National Standards for Mental Health Services 2010 which recognises the role played by carers, as well as their capacity, needs and requirements as being separate from those of consumers. Read more (PDF)
