Website to support carers of people with mental illness

29/1/03
A new website to provide information to people with mental illness and their families and carers has been established through State Government funding.
ARAFMI, an organisation providing support to relatives and friends of people with mental illness, created the website through a $13,000 grant from the State Government's Caring for Carers initiative. The initiative provides $10million over four years to help support carers.
Launching the new site today, Disability Services Minister Sheila McHale said the State Government was committed to supporting carers and the website was the latest in a range of community-based initiatives to better care for carers.
"Family and friends are the backbone of our care system and without them, formal services could not cope with the demand for services from people who need help with everyday tasks," Ms McHale said.
"The State Government's Caring for Carers initiative is providing real and tangible acknowledgment to the crucial role family carers play in our community."
The Minister said the website would be of particular benefit to people living in remote areas, indigenous carers and people from other cultural backgrounds.
"Caring for a person with a mental illness can sometimes be a lonely and isolating experience and despite a range of formal supports, some carers may be reluctant to seek help," she said.
"This new website offers them an easy-to-use interactive website with links to local information, counselling and support services that can be accessed in complete confidence."
The new website can be found at http://www.arafmi.asn.au
Minister's office: 9213 6900