FREE Workshop series – Managing Carer Fatigue
Alfred Health Carer Services invites carers who live in the Southern region of Melbourne to join a series of three workshops designed to help you learn techniques to relax, take care of yourself and practice self-compassion. The series start on 23 August and RSVP is essential.
See flyer for details

Caring Fairly – a national advocacy and awareness-raising campaign re the rights of mental health carers.
Mind Australia is leading Caring Fairly which will focus on improving and realising the economic, social and cultural rights of mental health carers. The campaign is supported by a nationwide coalition of organisations that support mental health carers, including Mental Health Carers Australia, peak bodies, and other major national non-government organisations. This three-year campaign will be launched in Winter 2018 and Mind Australia is keen to hear from carers who would like to contribute their experiences and views.
Read more details here

You can access the newsletter via the link below:

https://mailchi.mp/2fc2b014c126/friday-extra-20-july-2849789?e=b98a7291db

In this edition, read about:

• Improved myplace portals
• Register for our self-management webinar
• Measuring outcomes for people with disability
• Find out how Belinda followed her dreams
• Support for carers
• NDIS and other services you can access 
• Videos now available in multiple languages!
• The weekly Q&A

Please click on the link below for more information:

https://mailchi.mp/subscribendis/jan-259077?e=b308e1f97c

“Over the last few months we have been helping to inform members and stakeholders about My Health Record, including the three-month opt-out period starting this week.

The promise of this new system is similar to the promise of the first electronic GP clinical records: better management of chronic conditions and diseases, better management of reminders and recalls, and more accurate and timely communication with other medical professionals.

For those living with mental health issues, the potential for benefits are greater than for the broader population. We know that people living with mental illness often experience health care that is substandard – co-morbidities can remain untreated or undiagnosed and the complications of treatments and medications can be very damaging.

But we also know that for people living with mental illness, access to information can carry great risks. We still live in a world where stigma and discrimination mean that the unauthorised released of information might mean discrimination in employment, or insurance, or other opportunities.

So where does that leave us?

It leaves each of us empowered to make an informed choice. To weigh up the benefits against the risks – which our friends at the Consumers Health Forum of Australia have published as An important overview of the pros, cons and questions about My Health Record ”

Please click on the link below to access more information:
https://mhaustralia.org/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=941

Mindfulness course at the Discovery College (headspace Bentleigh)
If you’re interested in experiencing a range of mindfulness skills and techniques, and learning about how you can live or support others to live mindfully then this course is for you. See here to enrol
To find out more about other courses on offer and how to enrol, visit their website and download the Discovery College course guide and term timetable.

NDIA released Mental Health Access Snapshots
The snapshots provide specific, detailed information to people with psychosocial disability, their supporters, and service providers. They aim to assist people to understand the requirements of the NDIS access process in relation to psychosocial disability, and demystify the access process. The snapshots are as follows:
1.General information about how the NDIS can support your mental health
2.Impairment and mental health in the NDIS
3.Recovery and the NDIS
4.Functional capacity and mental health issues
5.NDIS and other services supporting your mental health

Click on the link below to read more information from the Friday Extra:

https://mailchi.mp/78aeb618f349/friday-extra-20-july-2018?e=b98a7291db

Welcome to your fortnightly NDIS update. In this edition, find out about self-managing the budget in your plan. Read about:

• Your plan management options
• Self-managing your plan
• Employing support workers
• Managing your budgets
• NDIS Quality and Safeguard Commission
• The weekly Q&A

The weekly Q&A
Each week we answer questions asked by the community about the NDIS. Find out about:

28 May: The NDIS planning process

• Once I am accepted as a participant in the NDIS, how long until I am contacted to set up a plan?
• What do I need for my planning conversation?
• What do I do if my circumstances change and I need to change my plan?
• What can I expect for my child’s planning conversation?
• What are the differences between being plan managed and self-managed?

You can access the link below for more information:

lhttps://mailchi.mp/subscribendis/jan-258849?e=2e9498f956

Updated resources for mental health carers from Alfred Health Carer Services (AHCS)
AHCS has recently updated and printed some information brochures which highlight available support and links for carers who live in the Southern region and care for someone with mental illness. Please download if a single copy only is required. If service providers require multiple copies for clients and waiting room/display areas, please email Lindy on l.alcorn@alfred.org.au with required number of brochures and details of mailing address.
See “Support for carers of people experiencing mental health issues” brochure here
See “Mental Health Carer and Family Support Groups” brochure here
See “Mental Health Resources” postcard here

Please click on the link below to read the newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/37f73c08c30e/friday-extra-13-july-2018?e=b98a7291db

Stress Down Day

Please click on the link below to read the complete report:
https://mhaustralia.org/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=927

Getting ready for the NDIS – FREE information sessions
Alfred Health Carer Services invites carers of people with a disability (including psycho-social disability) to attend a FREE session in Caulfield, Dandenong or Frankston during July and early August. The sessions are open to carers who live in the southern region of Melbourne.
See flyer for details including RSVP.
Please click on the link below to read the Friday Extra:
https://mailchi.mp/229cc6020cf0/friday-extra-6-july-2018?e=a2d63ca51a

Don’t miss your chance to provide input on how the wants and needs of the Victorian caring community can be represented during the State election by completing a survey which closes on 16 July 2018.
You can access the survey in the ‘get involved’ section of this newsletter.
https://mailchi.mp/22d5c3cc38ad/carers-victoria-voice-september-edition-460077?e=a09af54e6b

Upcoming Workshops

• Caring Til the End: A Carers Perspective Part I & II – Tuesday 17 July & Tuesday 24 July 2018 (2 sessions)
• NDIS Information Session – Thursday 26 July
• Carers, Families & the NDIS – three part program
  • Pakenham: Tuesday 3 July to Tuesday 17 July 2018
  • Dandenong: Wednesday 4 July to Wednesday 18 July 2018
• Disability Program: Carers, Families and The System Parts I to IV –
  Thursday 9 August – Part I
  Thursday 16 August – Part II
  Thursday 23 August – Part III
  Thursday 30 August – Part IV

For more information (or to book your spot) please visit the Carers Victoria website or call the Carers Victoria Carer Advisory Line on 1800 242 636.