As a family, carer or support person, understanding how to assist your loved one with their mental health can be challenging. This page provides essential resources to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate this journey.
Supporting someone with their mental health
Supporting a person with mental health challenges can be both rewarding and demanding. Whether your support is needed for a brief period of recovery or for a longer duration, it is essential to have access to the necessary support and information to sustain you in your vital role.
We recognise the importance of compassionate and informed support for families, carers and the individual receiving support.
Queensland Health’s how to get help page has information about finding mental health services and treatment options that are available around Queensland, as well as how mental health can affect you or the people you care about, and rights and support.
Get involved in Family Advisory Council
We are dedicated to working with young people and their families to continually improve the healthcare and services we provide.
The Family Advisory Council (FAC) is an opportunity for families and carers to ensure our services are meeting the needs of young people and their families.
Members of the FAC will:
- work in partnership with CYMHS staff to achieve a family-centred care approach to service planning and delivery
- represent the interests of all families using CYMHS Gold Coast Health mental health services
- provide guidance to the executive team and staff on the development and review of our services
- have opportunities to participate in CYMHS working groups and special projects
- have a lived experience of caring for a young person who has accessed the Gold Coast Health CYMHS service.
Your lived experience is valued and can contribute to the continual improvement of the services we provide.
To register your interest contact CYMHS FAC on gc-cymhsexec@health.qld.gov.au.
Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce
The Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce is a lived experience team providing a responsive program of recovery-oriented peer work, education and information for consumers, carers and families.
The team’s goal is to increase consumer, carer and family participation in the planning, delivery and evaluation of mental health services.
Visit the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce page for more information.
Resources for parents and carers
As a parent and carer, it can be difficult to understand how to support your young person when you are concerned about their mental health and wellbeing. Below is a list of resources and supports to assist you.
- Arafmi QLD
- Carer Gateway
- Kids Helpline Parents
- ReachOut Parents
- Parent Helpline
- Raising Children Network
- Family and Child Connect
- Lifeline
- Kalwun
- Accoras
- Wesley Kids
- Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence
- Domestic Violence Prevention Centre
- Child Safety Services
- Independent Patient Rights Advisors
- Gold Coast Libraries - Child and Youth Mental Health
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- headspace
- Your Health in Mind
- Emerging Minds
- Orygen Youth Mental Health Australia
- Black Dog Institute
- Beyond Blue (Depression and Anxiety)
- eMHPrac
- Lives Lived Well (Substance Use)
- The Butterfly Foundation (Eating Disorders)
- National Eating Disorders Collaboration
- Autism Queensland
Resources for young people
If you are a young person and need support and information relating to general mental health and wellbeing this section is designed for you.
