Arafmi Membership
|
Membership of Arafmi is free
Arafmi, operating in WA since 1976, offers free ongoing support and many free services for carers of people with mental healh issues. |
|
||
We recognise that carers play a crucial part in the recovery and rehabilitation process of people with a mental illness. It is often their love, support and encouragement that helps people pick up the pieces and get on with their lives again.
We acknowledge that the caring role can often be very stressful with many obstacles and challenges that need to be overcome along the way.
Time and time again, there are carers who assume they are somehow at fault, they should be able to do something to fix the problem and they become depressed, confused and so entangled themselves that they start to feel that they may be the problem.
Accessing support services for the carer includes one–on-one counselling and participation in “share and care” groups, where they can meet others in similar circumstances, to share the wisdom and coping skills, emotional support and have an understanding that they are not alone.
It is vital carers realise that if they don’t place importance on their own needs, they risk burning out and inadvertently jeopardise their ability to effectively care for their loved one.
Support services ensure carers access relevant information as well as emotional and practical support.
These services provide a holistic approach that includes (but is not restricted to) the clinical issues of the mental health consumer, the financial impact of the illness on the family, the emotional impact of the illness on the family and the stigma that is often felt by family members and friends of a mental health consumer.
Services provided are FREE, confidential and provided by professionally-trained staff.
Counsellors can assist carers to identify and explore issues of concern and help them implement appropriate coping strategies; learn more about mental illness (signs, symptoms, treatments available); learn about mental health system and how to navigate it; increase awareness of other relevant services available and link carers into appropriate services.
The advantage to carers seeking support is that they are able to obtain information and counselling about their concerns relating to the illness.
Usually mental health clinical staff do not have the time or motivation to work with family members to deal in detail with the issues that arise (most, but not all, clinical services tend to be patient-focused rather than family-focused).
Support services can provide a family focused approach in a comprehensive manner, which is more in line with best practice. Such services also reduce the sense of isolation and stigma which is a frequent problem that decreases the capacity of carers to cope.
Carers should take advantage of support services so as to enable them to define boundaries and reduce the enmeshment/confusion between themselves and their loved one. It enables them to develop an understanding and awareness of the mental health issues related to the particular illness and the impact it may have on their loved one.
Support services assist with the carer becoming empowered and active agents in an often disempowering situation (specifically when we consider our medical and health systems and the protocols that work within such institutions).
This is particularly so in remote locations like the North-West and the South-West regions where support services are very limited. Access to information gives carers a sense of hope and support and enables carers to steer clear of falling into a mental health problem themselves.
Support is essential in assisting carers to develop separation from feelings that they are somehow responsible for the illness their loved one is experiencing. Especially when the consumer quite often portrays denial of the illness affecting them and then commonly projects upon or blames the carer.
Arafmi membership makes sense. Phone Arafmi on 9427 7100 for information.
We acknowledge that the caring role can often be very stressful with many obstacles and challenges that need to be overcome along the way.
Time and time again, there are carers who assume they are somehow at fault, they should be able to do something to fix the problem and they become depressed, confused and so entangled themselves that they start to feel that they may be the problem.
Accessing support services for the carer includes one–on-one counselling and participation in “share and care” groups, where they can meet others in similar circumstances, to share the wisdom and coping skills, emotional support and have an understanding that they are not alone.
It is vital carers realise that if they don’t place importance on their own needs, they risk burning out and inadvertently jeopardise their ability to effectively care for their loved one.
Support services ensure carers access relevant information as well as emotional and practical support.
These services provide a holistic approach that includes (but is not restricted to) the clinical issues of the mental health consumer, the financial impact of the illness on the family, the emotional impact of the illness on the family and the stigma that is often felt by family members and friends of a mental health consumer.
Services provided are FREE, confidential and provided by professionally-trained staff.
Counsellors can assist carers to identify and explore issues of concern and help them implement appropriate coping strategies; learn more about mental illness (signs, symptoms, treatments available); learn about mental health system and how to navigate it; increase awareness of other relevant services available and link carers into appropriate services.
The advantage to carers seeking support is that they are able to obtain information and counselling about their concerns relating to the illness.
Usually mental health clinical staff do not have the time or motivation to work with family members to deal in detail with the issues that arise (most, but not all, clinical services tend to be patient-focused rather than family-focused).
Support services can provide a family focused approach in a comprehensive manner, which is more in line with best practice. Such services also reduce the sense of isolation and stigma which is a frequent problem that decreases the capacity of carers to cope.
Carers should take advantage of support services so as to enable them to define boundaries and reduce the enmeshment/confusion between themselves and their loved one. It enables them to develop an understanding and awareness of the mental health issues related to the particular illness and the impact it may have on their loved one.
Support services assist with the carer becoming empowered and active agents in an often disempowering situation (specifically when we consider our medical and health systems and the protocols that work within such institutions).
This is particularly so in remote locations like the North-West and the South-West regions where support services are very limited. Access to information gives carers a sense of hope and support and enables carers to steer clear of falling into a mental health problem themselves.
Support is essential in assisting carers to develop separation from feelings that they are somehow responsible for the illness their loved one is experiencing. Especially when the consumer quite often portrays denial of the illness affecting them and then commonly projects upon or blames the carer.
Arafmi membership makes sense. Phone Arafmi on 9427 7100 for information.
|
Copyright © 2004 - 2011 ARAFMI (WA) - View the Disclaimer
Having problems with the website? - Click here |
"You are not alone" |
