Frequently asked questions
About carers
A mental health carer provides unpaid support to a family member, partner, friend, or community member living with mental health challenges. Carers can be any age and relationship. You do not need a formal role or live with the person to be a carer.
Contact the Carer Support Team
A young carer is aged 4 to 25 and helps someone who needs extra support. This can include personal care, managing appointments or medication, running the household, translating, or supporting wellbeing and safety.
Accessing support
Our supports are for mental health carers living in Queensland. You do not need the person you care for to have a formal mental health diagnosis or NDIS plan.
Yes. Our services are available for carers of anyone with mental health needs, whether inpatient, outpatient, private, or public.
No. Arafmi carer supports are free, funded by Queensland Health and Wellways Carer Gateway. Membership is optional.
Carers can self-refer by calling 1300 554 660 or completing the Carer Support Enquiry Form
Family, friends, or health professionals can refer a carer (with consent) using the Carer Referral Form
Using Arafmi services
Most supports have no limits. Carers can access one or multiple services. Some workshops, respite, or individual support may have short waits, prioritised by need.
We provide emotional support and can link carers to specialist advocacy services. We do not act as individual advocates or attend review tribunals. We do, however, represent carers’ voices through system-level advocacy to improve the mental health system.
We offer online supports, group programs, and individual support across Queensland. Regional team members run face-to-face groups and can help carers start new groups if needed. The 24-hour Carer Support Line is available to all carers in Queensland.
Additional resources
Other organisations include:
Carer Gateway: 1800 422 737 | www.carergateway.gov.au
Carers Queensland: 07 3900 8100 | www.carersqld.com.au
COPMI: wwww.copmi.net.au
Eating Disorders Queensland: 07 3844 6055 | www.eatingdisordersqueensland.org.au
Little Dreamers (Young Carers): 1800 717 515 | www.littledreamers.org.au
Young Carers Network: www.youngcarersnetwork.com.au