Service Spotlight: Get to know Mind Australia

Good morning Mind! It's great to have you with us this morning. Here in the SANE Help Centre we refer to your carer helpline very frequently. Can you let us know what happens when someone rings 1300 554 660? What are the kinds of services you can then link them to?

Hello -thanks for the question. When some one calls our Carer helpline one of our trianed volunteer staff will be there to assist you. The service provides support and assistance, information and when required referral to other services. Often carers find it valuable talking with some one that understands their experiences. We work with carers helping them talk through their situations and find solutions that help alleviate their stresses. This may invlove further referrals to other Mind services or other services in the community. The service is completely confidential and callers are not requested to give personal details. It is not a requriement that either the Carers or their loved ones be linked with Mind services.

Hi @Mindcarers,

I am curious, do you offer face-to-face services for families to attend with their loved one who is experiencing mental health difficulties? We often speak to carers who feel out of the loop in regards to their loved one's treatment - how do you try to include family members?

Thanks,

Shimmer

Hello Shimmer -that an important question you raised. Our goal is to respond to the impact of mental ill health on the wellbeing of indivduals, their families and their carers. This includes responding to family and carers in their own right, as they face many issues and stresses themselves. But we also seek to work with individuals and their families and carers as partners in the indivuals recovery. This is done in consultation and with the agreement of the person receiving a MInd service and may take a number of approaches depending on the preference and needs of the people involved. This may include face to face services for families and their loved one who is receing a Mind Service. But it may also take other forms, including separate contacts and updates from Mind workers, the person receiving the servcie and their families and carers.