The MHCAA (Mental Health Carers Arafmi Australia) is the national voice of mental health carers. For over 35 years  Arafmi, the members of MHCAA, across Australia have advocated for better treatment and support for family members with serious mental illness.

MHCAA is the federation of the six Arafmi member organisations in each state and territory.

MHCAA member organisations are key mental health carer support agencies throughout Australia. In a number of states and territories members are the peak body for mental health carers.

The MHCAA grew out of the grass roots movement of mental health carers / family members who found that by sharing with others in the same situation they could provide mutual support and avenues for self help. This was the birth of the national mental health carer peer support in  Australia.

Frank Quinlan CEO Mental Health Council Australia
Dear MHCA members and friends.  I had the opportunity to spend two full days with Mental Health Carers Arafmi Australia facilitating a planning workshop.  While I was happy to lead the workshop, I was equally happy to have a chance to hear first-hand how MHCAA and its members are working to support mental health carers, friends and relatives.  While MHCAA set their goals and workplans, for me the main message was really to underscore just how far we are from having truly consumer and carer oriented programs, services and policies.  It is encouraging to see organisations working together to pursue this objective. 

On Monday 25th and Tuesday 26th of July 2011, Mental Health Carers Arafmi Australia (MHCAA) committee members and staff from around Australia came together for the first face-to-face Planning Day since appointment of Warren Jenkins as Executive Officer in February 2011. Over the two days members accomplished a remarkable amount. We now have a work plan and strategy to guide us through the coming year. The hard work over the two days demonstrate the strength we have in the diversity of skills and services in the different states and territories and the same time re-affirming how united and determined we are to progress the cause of mental health carers nationally. The year ahead will be exciting mix of hard work and satisfying outcomes. We were most fortunate to have the two days facilitated by Mr Frank Quinlan of   Mental Health Council Australia. We all very much appreciated Franks style and support and the insight from the peak body of the wider Mental Health community. I have added below an extract from Franks MHCA newsletter.
Personally I was most gratified by the support and constructive contribution of all members. 
Warren Jenkins EO MHCAA

On Thursday 11 August 2011, the Mental Health Council Australia (MHCA), invited MHCAA to a forum as part of a discussion of how to implement some of the federal government’s new budget initiatives for mental health.
The  Background paper (download below) , sets out the proposal for increased coordinated care for people living in the community with complex care needs.

In brief the paper and proposal sets out  –

1. $549 million will be spent over 5 years
2. This will target the top 24,000 people experiencing severe mental illness
3. An open tender process will be established per region (in the first part of 2012)
4. This will be achieved by the establishment of Care Facilitators
5. Already funded federal programs such as PHAMS will be well placed for this funding
6. Effective partnerships across a range of service providers will be essential.

The forum was attended by approximately 60 people, a number representing larger welfare providers such as Anglicare, Salvos and Catholic Social Services, as well as specific mental health organizations such as MIFA, Mind Australia and ourselves.

Download:
Background Paper Coordinated Care Measure - MHCA forum.doc
Discussion Paper Flexible Care Packages .pdf

Shedding the Black Coat
Jill Parris (Author), Kali Paxinos - A story about living well with schizophrenia
This book focuses on the life of one migrant family who have a son with schizophrenia. It explores the issues they have all faced.  The book celebrates the way in which Kali Paxinos, an indomitable Greek mother, has negotiated the mental health system and found a way for her and her family to live well with a mental illness, and then go on to support others. Read more about the book

Review by Shirley Mill, July, 2011

Kali Paxinos is a legendary figure in Victoria, in her capacity as an advocate for carers, particularly those in the CALD community, through her work and her public speaking, where she can be relied upon to be the voice of  courageous and compassionate reason.

Her story is fascinating.  It is inspiring to read of her journey within her own family, of Greek origin, where they had to overcome the cultural beliefs which contributed to exacerbation of the immense problems which can be associated with ongoing major mental illness. She has also been prepared to challenge aspects of the mental health system which made life harder for carers, eg. the failure to give clear guidelines for the management at home (or out of hospital) of the person for whom they care.

Her approach to helping carers, which is just as applicable to those whose first language is English, is practical, achievable and sustainable, and always based in respect, compassion and appropriate inclusivity.  In particular, her approach to seeking optimum harmony within her own family whilst continuing to support their mentally ill brother is both instructive and impressive. Kali has been ahead of her time with her insight and her championing of those who do not have an adequate voice. Her willingness to continue her valuable work into her eighties is to be both admired and celebrated.   The title, Shedding the Black Coat, reflects the realistic optimism of this most interesting book.

Shirley Mill is a Melbourne educationalist and writer, a Board Member of Arafemi Victoria, a Carer and long time advocate for carers of those with a mental illness.

For the first time, Australia has a National Carer Strategy – the second element of the Australian Government’s National Carer Recognition Framework.  Along with the Carer Recognition Act 2010, the National Carer Strategy strengthens our commitment to recognise and respond to the needs of carers so that they have rights, choices, opportunities and capabilities to participate in economic, social and community life.

The National Carer Strategy contains a vision, an aim and six important priority areas for action – recognition and respect, information and access, economic security, services for carers, education and training and health and wellbeing.  Collectively, these priority areas outline how the contribution of Australia’s carers will be better valued, supported and shared.

The National Carer Strategy builds on what the Australian Government already provides for carers and complements reforms to improve supports provided through the aged care, disability, mental health, primary health care, hospital and community care systems.

The Strategy was developed in consultation with carers, state and territory governments, service providers and peak organisations.

Download: National Carer Strategy PDF [1MB]