Putting carers on the map - a message from Jacqueline Gibson, our Lived Experience Carer Commissioner
Hello everyone,
National Carers Week 2024 is taking place from 13-19 October 2024. This year's theme, 'Putting Carers on the Map’ honours and celebrates the incredible work of unpaid carers. It is also an opportunity to raise community awareness among all Australians about the diversity of carers and their caring roles.
Caring for someone with a mental illness or psychological distress is challenging. I have firsthand experience with this, as I care for my husband and mother, who both struggle with severe and enduring psychological distress. As carers, family, supporters and kin, we have our own needs. We need to take care of ourselves and prioritise our wellbeing.
Recognising the role of carers, families and supporters
Currently, 12.5% (726,600) of Victorians are carers. According to the most recent ABS Census (2021), Victoria recorded the highest increase in the number of carers in the period since the previous ABS Census 2016 (22%). This is well above the national average (15%).
Throughout Carer's Week, we'll share a variety of resources to support you on your caregiving journey. From mental health services to practical guides, these tools will help you navigate challenges and find the support you need. We have tailored these resources to specific needs, including those for young carers, financial support options, and resources available for families. Learn more about these resources here or follow our social media channels: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
Some key milestones in the Commission’s establishment year
The creation of my designated role as Lived Experience Carer Commissioner emphasises the government's commitment to ensuring that the voices of carers, family, supporters and kin are acknowledged, valued, respected and uplifted across every aspect of Victoria's mental health and wellbeing system.
It also ensures that the commission responds to the needs of carers, family, supporters and kin and engages their views and expertise in the development of our projects and policies.
In our establishment year, we’ve celebrated some key milestones:
- We have already launched our plan for Exploring Issues through Inquiries and Systemic Reviews which focuses on addressing issues within the system. This includes a section on our website where anyone can share their concerns about the mental health and wellbeing system with us. It is a critical step toward driving improvements and ensuring that consumers, their carers, family, supporters and kin benefit from a more responsive and accountable system.
- We are also finalising Our approach to complaints handling and compliance monitoring which outlines how the Commission’s complaints handling, investigations and compliance practices aim to improve outcomes, drive system reform and protect the public interest for everyone who uses the public mental health and wellbeing system including carers, family, supporters and kin.
- Our Engagement Framework will ensure that we are connected with the right organisations, sharing information and insights and working together effectively to drive meaningful and lasting change.
Our upcoming priorities
In the coming months, the work of the Commission will be focussed on:
- Our Lived Experience plan that will ensure that the valuable insights of people with lived experience is embedded in everything we do.
- Our Monitoring and Reporting Plan that describes how the Commission will monitor and report on system safety and quality, and the government’s implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations.
- Applying mental health and wellbeing principles into practice: these are intended to support the Act’s primary objective, which is to achieve the highest attainable standard of mental health and wellbeing for the people of Victoria. The guidance will assist services in meeting their obligations under the Act and ultimately improving the experiences of consumers with mental illness, their carers, family, supporters and kin.
Highlights and Insights from Regional Visits
Last year, around 20 connect centres – led by staff with lived and living experience of supporting someone with a mental illness – opened across Victoria.
Co-designed by carers, family, supporters and kin in partnership with Tandem, the centres offer a welcoming environment for accessing support, services, peer support groups, and help with immediate practical needs.
Throughout the year, I have had the privilege of visiting various regional areas, including Horsham, Bendigo, Ballarat, and Mildura. These visits have been instrumental in understanding the unique challenges faced by mental health and wellbeing services in these communities. I witnessed the power of community-driven initiatives; carers and local organisations working together to create supportive environments that prioritise mental health and wellbeing. Their efforts are paving the way for a more inclusive and compassionate system.
Visiting the centres has also allowed me to engage with carers from diverse backgrounds and gain valuable insights into their experiences and the Commission's work from their perspective.
Their work is a cornerstone for the community. You can find the locations of the mental health connect centres here.
Tandem’s 30th Anniversary
I'd also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Tandem Carers, an organisation that has dedicated itself to supporting mental health carers in Victoria for 30 years. Their work has made a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals and families. They will be celebrating this milestone on 17 October 2024. Tandem members can register for this event by clicking on this link. This is a member-only event. To register to become a Tandem member, please click on this link.
In conclusion
Looking ahead, I remain committed to ensuring that all Victorian carers, family, supporters and kin have access to high-quality mental health and wellbeing services and positive experiences with them. I will ensure that our voices are heard and recognised. Today, and every day is the right time to place carers on the map.
Warm regards,
Jacqueline
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