Dear members and supporters, We are sending today’s eNews at what is once again a really difficult time for many Victorians. Feelings of exhaustion, apathy and irritability are so widespread at the moment that they’ve spawned a new term: ‘lockdown fatigue’.
Concerningly, for many people with caring responsibilities, lockdown fatigue adds to already significant carer fatigue or even burnout. Please remember that you can reach out to speak to our team on the Support and Referral Line from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday on 1800 314 325.
This is an enormously hard time too for our Afghan community, as well as for veterans who served in Afghanistan and their families. Please be mindful of how the situation is affecting you, and speak to someone if you need to.
With school closures extended, playgrounds closed and talk of how the delta variant of COVID-19 is spreading amongst children, many kids are having a hard time too – particularly those who were already struggling with anxiety or other mental health concerns.
We’ve included in this edition a section of resources for families with children, for members of the Afghan community, as well as some support services for veterans and families.
Lastly – and on a positive note – we’d like to thank all of our members who attended last week’s Members Meeting. The meeting included an initial consultation session on Victoria’s eight new family and carer-led centres. As always, the session involved vibrant discussion and produced a wealth of ideas that our team is now sifting through. Keep an eye on this space to hear more about our next steps!
In this eNews edition
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- Introduction
- Our next Tandem Time with Victoria Police
- Supporting children through extended lockdowns
- Support for the Afghan community
- Support for veterans and families
- Are you experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19?
- Senior Carer Peer Worker position – Mental Health Hospital in the Home
- Family and Friend Support Program for people supporting someone using ice
- Communicating with health professionals – Carers Victoria
- The NDIS is seeking your feedback
- Executive Director, Lived Experience – Department of Health
- Depression Assist website
- North Western Melbourne community needs survey
- Do you live in Hume?
- Tandem Support & Referral Line
- Other Mental Health Helplines and Webchats
- Join the Tandem Family
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- Our next Tandem Time with Victoria Police
Our next Tandem Time is planned for Thursday 26 August 10am-11am.
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- Day: Thursday 26 August
- Time: 10am-11am
- Where: online via Zoom.
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Our guest speaker will be Rebecca Halpin, Community Portfolio Manager, Mental Health,Priority and Safer Communities Division, Victoria Police.
Rebecca will provide information on the work that happens in the Mental Health – Priority and Safer Communities Division. As this will be a popular session we are asking members to submit questions beforehand.
If you have any questions for Rebecca please forward to info@tandemcarers.org.au with the subject line ‘Tandem Time’.
Are you experiencing hardship due to COVID-19?
If you’re experiencing financial hardship because of COVID-19 restrictions, you may be eligible for support from the Victorian Government and/or the Federal Government.
Regardless of whether your financial hardship is COVID-related or not, you can speak to a financial counsellor at the National Debt Helpline for free – they even offer specialised advice for people experiencing financial stress due to mental health concerns.
Call 1800 007 007 Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Depression Assist websiteResearchers at Deakin University and Barwon Health have developed a new website for family and friends of people with major depressive disorder, and are looking for people to test the website.
If you’re interested, contact the researchers on 0456 755 552 or depression-assist@deakin.edu.au
To read the complete newsletter click on the link below:
https://mailchi.mp/be5f3c4beae4/dfxn4oqrm0-4766432?e=34088e3417 -