Providing Mental Health Support To
Caring for a member experiencing mental health challenges can be difficult for the whole family.
Supporting and caring for a family member going through mental health challenges can be a confusing, frightening, and an isolating experience, especially if you are the primary caregiver. However, you do not have to go through it alone! HelpingMinds® offer free and confidential services that can help support your whole family.
Are you supporting a family member or a friend living with mental health challenges?
There are many types of mental health challenges of varying degrees and there’s no same effect on patients and their families. It can be very difficult for children to see their mum and dad experience mental health challenges, and it would be devastating for parents to see their son or daughter experience this condition at such a young age.
At HelpingMinds®, it is our advocacy to provide free and confidential mental health support to family and carers or anyone in Western Australia aged 8 years and over who has a family member or a friend living with mental health challenges. Since this experience can be difficult and isolating, we want to help you and your family navigate this journey through our series of programs, workshops and other mental health wellness activities. With our team based in Midland, Carnarvon, Geraldton and Broome, our educational programs are accessible to surrounding suburbs, including the City of Swan, Gascoyne, Midwest and Kimberley.
Supports for family members and friends
Counselling for family and friends
When someone close to you changes because of mental health challenges you may feel a range of emotions including anger, loss and sadness.
We offer free and confidential counselling to people who are supporting a family member or a friend living with mental health challenges, including:
- Individual counselling appointments
- In-school counselling for students aged 8-17
- Phone counselling for people in regional and remote WA on 1800 811 747
Contact us today to book an appointment.
Support Groups and Workshops
Our regular support groups, for family and friends of people living with mental challenges, provide a safe environment for people to come together and offer each other support and share experiences, coping skills and information.
Support groups can bring a sense of empowerment, improve connection and take away some of those feelings of distress, exhaustion and isolation. Our workshops are open to anyone affected by mental health conditions and are conducted across Perth.
Visit this page to book a support group near you.
Advocacy
The mental health system in WA is complex and we can help you navigate it, protect your rights and express your own wishes. This is known as advocacy.
Our advocacy team can assist you with:
- Understanding your rights
- Having your voice heard when decisions are being made about the person you care for
- Access to mental health services
- Referrals to practical support
- Information and resources
- Complaints processes
You have a right to be involved and we can help. Contact us today to talk to one of our Carer Advocates.
Peer support
When you are supporting someone through their journey of mental ill-health and mental recovery, life can be very challenging. Sometimes talking with someone who has lived through or experienced a similar situation can help ease your fears and concerns, as you realise that you are not alone, nor are you the only one.
Our Peer Support Workers are people who care for a friend experiencing mental health challenges and can support you by understanding the challenges you face.
Contact us today to talk to one of our Peer Support Workers.
Family LINK program - City of Swan
Who is this for? Families living in the City of Swan who have a family member affected by stress, conflict or mental health challenges.
Family LINK is a free five-week program for the whole family to come together once a week to share a meal. Our team will teach you tips and tricks to help your family talk to each other and deal with issues that cause family conflict.
The program will give you tools that will:
- Help you to better communicate with each other
- Bring you closer together
- Help you to deal with family disputes
Contact us today to register for our next program.
We are proud to be part of the mental health support for family and carers all over WA and NT.
“I can’t thank HelpingMinds enough. Life has thrown our family a curveball and having someone who understands the game is invaluable. HelpingMinds is assisting us to understand the new rules of the game. A game we did not sign up for but nevertheless a game we will participate in until the very end whatever the outcome. I would and I do recommend the agency to anyone who needs the help of learning the rules of the same game we were thrown into. Thank you HelpingMinds Mandurah.” – Sonia
“Fabulous mob who have a real passion for helping people with mental health challenges and their carers to achieve a better quality of life. Thank you for all that you do!” – Hayley
“I had contact due to a friend and they assisted kids at schools going through custody issues. Happy with their approach.” – Anita
“Wonderful service to those of us having difficulties in life.” – Kaye.
