Project Background

The Carers Project is an Australian Government Initiative that assists families, carers, children and young people affected by mental illness.

In 2006 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) recognized that Mental Health is a major concern for all Australians and committed to reform the Mental Health System in Australia.

One outcome was the "Community Based Program'(referred to here as the Mental Health Carers Project) that forms part of the COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health 2006-2011.   

*BCHS was a successful grant recipient for the development of a Community Based Project.

HOW DOES THE MENTAL HEALTH CARERS PROJECT WORK?
Local, community-based projects funded to support families, children and young people affected by mental illness. Projects target prevention and early intervention, with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background.

The project is managed though the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

The objectives of the project are to ensure that families, carers, children and young people receive flexible support and are linked with other required services to enable the following:

·       Improvement of emotional health, wellbeing and quality of life

·       Improve ability to sustain their caring role

·       Reduction of stress in the short and long term

·       Improved relationships and family functioning

·       Balance of caring with other parts of their life

·       Improved resilience of children and young people