Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania

27/10/2026

CWFF Online Session: Understanding PACER and Mental Health Crisis Responses in Southern Tasmania

Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania (MHFFTas) invites families, friends and carers in Southern Tasmania to join our next Conversations with Families and Friends (CWFF) online session.

📅 Monday 9 November

🕙 10:00am - 12:00pm

💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

This session will focus on the Police, Ambulance and Clinician Early Response (PACER) model and provide families and carers with an opportunity to better understand the supports available when a loved one experiences a mental health crisis.

We are pleased to be joined by representatives from:

Tasmania Police

Statewide Mental Health Services

Ambulance Tasmania

Topics will include:

How the PACER model responds to mental health crises.
The role of police, clinicians and paramedics in supporting people in distress.
What families, friends and carers can expect when PACER is involved.
How families can effectively engage with crisis services.
Referral pathways and supports available following a mental health emergency.
Practical information for families seeking help for a loved one.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and participate in a facilitated discussion about experiences of accessing crisis support services.

This session is particularly relevant for anyone in Southern Tasmania supporting a family member, friend or loved one experiencing mental ill health.

To register, please visit: https://events.humanitix.com/conversations-with-families-and-friends-9th-november-2026

Please feel free to share this invitation with your networks.

Representatives from Tasmania Police, Statewide Mental Health Services and Ambulance Tasmania have been invited to discuss how PACER responds to crisis.

27/10/2026

Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania advise that our Annual General Meeting scheduled for today, Tuesday 27 October 2026, from 4.00 pm to 5.00 pm, has been postponed.

Unfortunately, two of our Board members are seriously unwell and, as a result, we no longer have the required Board quorum to proceed with the meeting.

We apologise for the late notice and any inconvenience this may cause. Our thoughts are with our colleagues, and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.

Our Public Officer, Louise Cornish, will announce a new date once we have confirmed the availability of our guest speakers and the Board members who are currently unwell.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of MHFFTas.

On behalf of Louise Cornish | Public Officer

20/10/2026

New support resources for young carers

New support resources have been developed to help young carers find mental health information and connect with the support they need.

Supporting a family member or friend experiencing mental health challenges can be difficult. It can also be overwhelming to find the right mental health information.

Young carers may not always be recognised or receive the support they need in their caring role. That’s why it’s important for young carers to have access to information, resources and support for their own wellbeing, too.

Resources have been developed with input and feedback from young carers, as well as family and friends representatives.

Find the new resources here: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/health-topics/mental-health/mental-health-information-consumers-families-and-carers/resources-young-carers

20/10/2026

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: 2026 NATIONAL WORKFORCE SURVEY

Emerging Minds Australia is inviting people working across health, mental health, community services, social services, education, research, policy and leadership to take part in the 2026 National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health.

Your feedback can help identify workforce needs, improve training and resources, and shape future support and investment — including ensuring Tasmanian experiences are represented.

🗣️ Why participate?

Help shape future workforce support and training.

Contribute to findings that inform sectors and policymakers.

Go into the draw to win one of three iPads.

Earn self-reported CPD points (for eligible professions).

🔒 Survey responses are confidential.

📅 Survey closes 30 November 2026.

👉 Take part: https://bit.ly/3TCGRbU

Please share with your networks to help strengthen support for children, parents and families across Tasmania and Australia.

The 2026 Emerging Minds National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health is now open! Have your say today.

19/10/2026

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: AI AND HEALTH INFORMATION 💚

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used by health services to write and edit health information for patients, carers and families.

But should you be told when AI has been used?

A national Australian survey is seeking feedback from consumers, carers and health service staff to understand views on transparency in the use of AI in health information.

💬 Who can take part?

🩺 Consumers: Adults who use health services

💚 Carers: Adults who care for someone who uses health services

👩‍⚕️ Health service staff: Adults working in a health service

📝 The survey takes approximately 10 minutes, is anonymous and is open to adults (18+) across Australia. You don't need to know anything about AI to participate.

🔗 Take the survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Q4gs76DLxx

📅 Surveys close 24 December 2026.

Your views can help shape practical resources about AI transparency in health information and support better-informed decisions for consumers, carers, families and health professionals.

Please share this post to help spread the word! 💚

13/10/2026

💚 MHFFTas TEAM VISITS NEW MEDICARE MENTAL HEALTH CENTRE IN GLENORCHY! 💚

Today, the team from Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania (MHFFTas) visited the new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Glenorchy! 🏡💚

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the services available and how the centre is supporting individuals, families, friends and carers in our local community.

The centre provides FREE, accessible mental health support in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment.

📍 388 Main Road, Glenorchy
🕙 Monday–Friday, 10am–6pm

✅ No appointment or referral required

💚 What support is available?

🌿 Immediate, short and medium-term mental health support.

🌿 Information, advice and guidance for families, friends and carers supporting someone experiencing mental health challenges.

🌿 Connections and referrals to other appropriate community services and supports.

At MHFFTas, we understand how important it is for families, friends and carers to feel informed, included and supported. It's encouraging to see services recognising the important role they play in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of their loved ones. 💚

Delivered by Stride Mental Health, the Glenorchy centre joins existing Medicare Mental Health Centres in Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.

🔗 Find out more: bit.ly/Medicare-Mental-Health-Glenorchy

💚 Please share this information with anyone who may benefit from these valuable services.

12/10/2026

📣 Have Your Say: NDIS Reforms and Psychosocial Disability
The NDIS is changing over the coming years, with some reforms already underway and others being designed or introduced gradually.
Mental Health Carers Australia (MHCA) wants to hear from people with psychosocial disability, as well as their families, carers and kin, about what these changes could mean in practice.
The reforms include changes to:
🔹 Access and eligibility
🔹 Plan reassessments, variations and renewals
🔹 How NDIS budgets are calculated and used
🔹 What the NDIS can fund
🔹 Provider and plan-management arrangements
🔹 New framework plans and support-needs assessments
🔹 How participant, family and carer outcomes are measured
🔹 Connections with supports outside the NDIS
💬 Your experiences and feedback matter.
MHCA will use your feedback to help identify priorities, risks and safeguards that decision-makers need to consider through NDIA committees, consultations, working groups, submissions, briefings and letters.
As reforms are introduced, MHCA will continue to seek feedback to understand what is happening in practice and what further action may be needed.
👉 Have your say: https://mhfamiliesfriendstas.org.au/mhca-ndis-reforms/
Please share this with families, carers, kin and people with psychosocial disability who may want to contribute.

12/10/2026

🎉 TOMORROW! FREE CARERS FUN DAY + EXPO 🎉

💙 Looking for a fun day out with the family? Join us tomorrow, Wednesday 14 October, for a FREE community event celebrating National Carers Week!

With more than 87,000 Tasmanians caring for family and friends, this is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate carers, connect with others and discover the support available in our community.

✨ What’s happening?
🎨 Free art and craft activities
🎭 Face painting and henna art
🎈 Eco balloon art
🧶 Pottery, basket weaving and jewellery workshops
💙 Local services and support organisations to explore

Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania (MHFFTas) will be there too! Come and say hello, learn more about our programs and services, and share your experiences of supporting a family member or friend experiencing mental ill-health or alcohol and other drug challenges.

📅 Tomorrow – Wednesday 14 October
⏰ 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
📍 C3 Convention Centre, Hobart

💙 Whether you’re a carer, a family member, a friend or simply interested in learning more, everyone is welcome!

Come along, connect with your community and help us celebrate the incredible contribution of carers across Tasmania.

10/10/2026

💜 NATIONAL CARERS WEEK 2026 – CELEBRATING OUR UNSUNG HEROES! 💜

📅 11–17 October 2026

This National Carers Week, Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania (MHFFTas) acknowledges and celebrates the incredible contribution of unpaid carers who provide love, care and support to family members, friends and loved ones. 💜

Did you know that Tasmania has an estimated 87,000 carers, with around 1 in 6 Tasmanians providing care and support?

Carers play a vital role in our communities, particularly those supporting someone experiencing mental ill health. Their dedication, compassion and resilience deserve to be recognised and celebrated. 💕

🌟 FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS ACROSS TASMANIA!

Carers Tasmania and Care2Serve are hosting a range of FREE events, and everyone is welcome!

📍 Launceston – Cuppa with a Carer
☕ Monday 12 October | 10:00am–11:30am
Tailrace Centre

📍 South Hobart – Carer Fun Day + Expo
🎉 Wednesday 14 October | 10:30am–2:30pm
C3 Convention Centre

📍 Launceston – Cuppa with a Carer
☕ Thursday 15 October | 1:30pm–3:00pm
Tailrace Centre

📍 Ulverstone – Cuppa with a Carer
☕ Friday 16 October | 10:00am–11:30am
Windows On Westella

These events are a wonderful opportunity to connect with other carers, enjoy a cuppa, share experiences and learn about available support services.

💜 You don't have to identify as a carer to attend – everyone is welcome!

👉 Register your interest:
🌐 https://care2serve.com.au/event-list
📞 1800 422 737

At MHFFTas, we recognise that carers need care too. Your wellbeing matters, your voice matters, and the support you provide makes a difference every day.

💜 To all carers across Tasmania – thank you for everything you do!

09/10/2026

💚 World Mental Health Day – 10 October 2026!
🌏 Together We Thrive! 🌟

World Mental Health Day is an important reminder that mental health matters — for everyone.

At Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania (MHFFTas), we recognise the vital role that families, friends and carers play in supporting people experiencing mental ill-health. 💚

10 October 2026 is an opportunity to pause, check in with ourselves and those around us, start meaningful conversations and remind each other that no one should have to face mental health challenges alone.

💚 Take time for yourself.
💚 Reach out to someone you care about.
💚 Listen without judgement.
💚 Remember that families, friends and carers need support too.

Together, we can build a more compassionate, connected and supportive community where everyone feels heard, valued and supported.

🌟 Because Together We Thrive!

Our friends at Mental Health Australia have developed some wonderful resources to help you get involved and start conversations.

🔗 Explore the resources here: https://worldmentalhealthday.com.au/