ACT Mental Health Survey Now Live!
The ACT Mental Health Carers Survey 2025 is now live and we need your voice. When you share your feedback through this survey, you're giving us the evidence we need to drive change.
While general carer surveys offer valuable insights, they don't always reflect the unique experiences of mental health carers. Decision makers often require clear, targeted data before taking action. Your responses fill the gaps in evidence and directly shape our advocacy for stronger recognition and support of mental health carers in the ACT.
If you're a mental health carer, please take a few minutes to complete the survey. Your voice genuinely counts.
Complete the survey here - https://bit.ly/46yH1W0
Mental Health Month 'The Art of Wellbeing'
While Mental Health Week ACT (5–11 October) has officially wrapped up, Mental Health Month continues, reminding us all to reflect on the importance of wellbeing – especially for those who support others.
This year’s theme, The Art of Wellbeing, encouraged our community to explore the simple, everyday ways we care for ourselves and each other — before things pile up. From creative workshops and mindfulness activities to storytelling and connection, Carers ACT proudly supported this important initiative, which aligns strongly with our mission to improve outcomes for unpaid carers.
As part of the celebrations, members of the Mental Health Carers Voice team attended the 2025 ACT Mental Health Sector Awards, which took place on Friday 10 October at Belconnen Arts Centre. We were honoured to be part of an event that celebrated leadership, resilience and innovation across the mental health sector.
Congratulations to all award recipients - and thank you for the meaningful contributions you continue to make in our community.
We’ll be sharing photos and highlights from the event shortly. In the meantime, we encourage all carers to take a moment this month to explore what wellbeing looks like for you — whether it’s through connection, self-care, creativity, or simply taking a breath.
Strike Up Some Fun for Mental Health at Kingpin Bowling
Are you caring for someone with mental health Challenges? Would the person you’re caring for be interested in a fun day at Kingpin at the Canberra Centre?
The ACT Mental Health Consumer Network is hosting this free social event to bring the community together to support mental well-being through the power of games and friendly competition. Here’s what you can look forward to: - Bowling
- Darts (with or without Augmented Reality displays)
- Social vibes
- Price: Free
- Date: Wednesday 22 October 2025
- Time: 12pm to 2pm
- Address: Kingpin Bowling, Canberra Centre, 148 Bunda Street, Canberra
This is a terrific opportunity to reduce stress, boost mood, and build a sense of community.
All catering is provided and will include vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options.
There are limited places available, and RSVPs are required.
Register via the link below: STRIKE
up some fun for mental health!
STRIKE up some fun for mental health is brought to you by the Network with the support of Mental Health Community Coalition ACT and Mental Health Month ACT 2025. A message from ACACIA: the ACT Consumer and Carer Mental Health Research Unit.
The research team at ACACIA are inviting Carers, Family and Kinship group members who are supporting someone with lived experience of mental ill-health to join public co-design sessions to co-create actions for change that will help form the ALIVE National Centre consensus statements. Participants will receive reimbursement for their time.
If you are interested in taking part register here: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/kb9p Your voice matters: Co-designing a growth program after trauma
Participants are being invited to join co-design workshops to help develop a supportive group program that fosters growth after traumatic experiences. Your insights will directly shape a program to support other adult trauma survivors.
For more information, or to express interest contact ritwika.nag@anu.edu.au
Participants will receive $40 for their time and participation. Please view the flyer below for additional details. Australian Government Consultation: Have Your Say on Reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act
The Albanese Government has released an issues paper to seek views on reforms to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, as well as other opportunities to clarify and strengthen protections for people with disability. This is part of the government’s response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission).
The Government is now inviting people with disability, their carers and the broader community to participate and share their views.
The Issues Paper is accompanied by an Auslan video, easy read and plain English versions of the paper’s summary, with various ways for people to have their say.
For more information about the review, and to access the review’s issues paper and have your say, visit the Attorney-General's Department website link below:
Review of the Disability Discrimination Act | Attorney-General's Department
Submissions close 24th October 2025.
North Canberra Hospital’s Main Phone Number Has Changed
North Canberra Hospital has a new phone number for their main hospital. Carers can start using the new number straight away. Calls to the old number will still be redirected until the end of the year. If you regularly contact the North Canberra Hospital, please update the new contact details below.
North Canberra Hospital’s new phone number is: 5103 6111.
Click the link below for more information on the North Canberra Hospital:
North Canberra Hospital | healthdirect Consultations and information sessions:
The MHCV team have been busy providing information sessions to new Mental Health Justice Health Alcohol and Drug Service staff and consulting on the use of the Carers Experience Survey. This is a national survey tool that has been specially designed to gather feedback from carers about their experiences while caring for their person. By completing the Mental Health Carer Experience Survey you will help shape more effective services for both you and the person you care for.
MHCV has also been busy facilitating and providing policy consultation in the development of mental health services. This has included topics such as information sharing, transitions of care, treatment planning and carer inclusive practices. In the last month we have also had an MHCV presence at the TheMHS conference in Queensland. TheMHS Conference:
The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) conference this year was held at the Royal Exhibition Centre in Brisbane. Mental Health Carers Voice (MHCV) was well represented with three members of the Advocacy Policy Advisory Group (APAG) and two staff, Kamla and Paul. Our first day was a carer and consumer forum with speakers describing their vision for the mental health service system in 2050. The vision includes a system that is informed and developed through the lived and living experience of carer and consumer leadership and the promotion of human and individual rights and values. Spending time with our wonderful mental health carers at the conference was a privilege and we are looking forward to next year’s conference in Sydney. The conference had amazing speakers who had travelled internationally and from around Australia. One of the highlights of the conference was Dr Rebecca Huntley’s presentation about poly-crisis (multiple crises that compound and collide) and the social intensification of anxiety. Dr Huntley, talked about the importance of connection, both social and environmental, in finding and maintaining wellness in periods of uncertainty. Another highlight was a workshop facilitated by ARAFMI on their new guide, Working with Carers, Family and Kin, A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. The team from St Vincents Hospital in Victoria presented on their experience of developing a co-designed resource for carers and consumers. Carers Can Ask has information and guidance about the service supports that are available.
For more information and to access Carers Can Ask - Here
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