Supporting carers in Perth
Carers and families of people with a severe mental illness in Perth will have greater access to support services thanks to a $1.2 million investment for Mental Health Carers Arafmi to deliver a new Mental Health Respite: Carer Support Service.
Minister for Disability Reform, Jenny Macklin and Federal Member for Perth, Stephen Smith met with young carers at Carer’s House in Perth today to discuss the new services that will be provided.
“I’m delighted that Mental Health Carers Arafmi (WA) will receive this funding from the Gillard Government to provide much needed carer support services,” Ms Macklin said.
“These services will give families of people with a mental illness in Perth greater access to flexible respite and support services close to home.
“The Gillard Government knows how important it is to support carers and families of people with mental illness.
“This new service will allow carers to take short breaks from their caring roles, participate in community and social activities, engage in peer support groups and education, or receive counselling and advice, all contributing to their own health and wellbeing.”
Member for Perth Stephen Smith said carers in the local government areas of Joondalup, Swan and Wanneroo will benefit from this new service.
“This new service will provide support to carers to maintain their caring role,” Mr Smith said.
“We know carers need a range of flexible services that are targeted to meet their needs at different times – this new service will do that for carers in Perth.”
Today’s announcement builds on the range of investments already delivered by the Gillard Government through our historic $2.2 billion national investment in mental health reform.
As part of a $121 million investment in community mental health services we are funding additional mental health carer support services which will give families of people with severe mental illness access to 24 new flexible respite and support services and expanded services across a further seven existing sites.
These new services mean the Gillard Government is funding more than 200 mental health carer support services.