Online mindfulness for mental health carers

Carers Australia, Mental Health Australia and Mental Health Carers Australia have worked with carers of people with lived experience of mental illness and/or psychosocial disability to develop a short course of mindfulness sessions for carers. 

Who can join?

If you provide care to someone with lived experience of mental illness and/or psychosocial disability, this course is for you! You do not need prior experience with mindfulness to participate.

What is the online mindfulness course?

Over six weeks, 45-minute weekly sessions will be delivered online by experienced mindfulness facilitators from Simply Mindful. The course consists of both information about mindfulness, and short guided practices. Each week focuses on a range of topics which are particularly relevant to carers, including reducing anxiety in stressful situations, ‘on the go’ mindfulness techniques for busy carers, working with strong emotions, practices to help you sleep, and carer-specific self-compassion techniques.

When?

Three session times will be run each week: 

• Tuesday 10-10.45 AEST (25th May, 1 June, 8 June, 15 June, 22 June, 29 June)
• Thursday 11-11.45 AEST, (27th May, 3 June, 10 June, 17 June, Wednesday 23 June, 1 July), and 
• Thursday 12.30-1.15pm AEST (27th May, 3 June, 10 June, 17 June, Wednesday 23 June, 1 July). 

All sessions each week will cover the same content, however you are welcome to enrol in multiple sessions a week if you wish to repeat sessions.

Do I have to attend every session? 

Participation in each session is voluntary, and you may leave the session at any time. You will be required to complete an Informed Consent form before the link to participate is provided to you: click here to complete the form.

You may use a pseudonym during enrolment if you wish to remain unidentifiable. 

Is this course accessible?

Carers Australia and Simply Mindful are committed to ensuring everyone is able to participate. Please include any accessibility requirements in the prompt box during registration.

Interested but not available for these days/times?

If you are interested in this course but unable to participate in these days and times, you can sign up to be notified about the next round of courses (expected delivery July - August). Please email info@carersaustralia.com.au to receive first access to enrol in these sessions. Please include "Online mindfulness sessions" in the subject line, and provide your name and if you have a preferred session time (morning, afternoon, evening or weekend) in your email.

Want to self-assess your wellbeing before, during, or after the course? 

Carers Australia is currently providing a free self-assessment tool to help carers understand their wellbeing. To find out more and undertake the self-assessment, visit the Personal Wellbeing Index: Self-Assessment Survey  webpage on the Carers Australia website.