Mental Health Families and Friends Tas are providing online peer support sessions for families and friends who support a person with mental ill health.
As a support person, it is important to take a break and spend some time talking to people who understand what you’re going through. We can’t always get together in person and that’s why we have created our Online Safe Space.
We hope that our Online Safe Space video chats will provide an opportunity to share how you are feeling with others who understand the ups and downs of being a family member or friend of someone affected by mental ill health. We will also host guest speakers and share relevant videos or podcasts from time to time. Our chats are open to anyone over the age of 18 living in Tasmania and supporting a person with mental ill health.
If you would like to join, please let us know by registering. You’ll be sent a confirmation email with details on how to join the chat. Please note that it can take up to two working days for your confirmation email to come through.
Our Online Safe Space chats are hosted using the video call platform, Zoom. If you are not familiar with Zoom, or would like a reminder, please take a look at the Zoom instructions below.
How do I use Zoom?
You will be able to attend our Online Safe Space chats using Zoom. You do not need your own account to register, just the link and meeting ID that we send you.
We are conscious of your privacy and have taken measures to ensure your security when using Zoom. These include a specific password for each meeting and suggestions for maintaining your privacy during our meetings. For more information, please take a look at the guidelines for our video chats.
If this is your first time using Zoom, don’t worry, many of us have not used Zoom before! Please look at the step by step instructions on how to join the Zoom meeting. If things are still feeling a bit unfamiliar, you can get in touch with us by email.
Registration
Based on your feedback, we have decided to run the Online Safe Space sessions fortnightly. Each session will be held at 6.30 pm on a Wednesday evening and will run for 1 to 1.5 hours.
The sessions will be held in English.
Before joining us online, please read our guidelines for video chats.
Our Next Chats
Wednesday 9 September 2020 (6.30 – 8.00 pm) – Mental Health Services
This week, Dr Aaron Groves (Chief Psychiatrist, Department of Health Tasmania) will join us to have a chat about some of the Mental Health Service Reforms happening in Tasmania and how they might affect us.
Afterwards, we will have time to ask Dr Groves some questions and to check in and catch up with each other. Come along and share, have a chat, or just listen.
Everyone is welcome – join us for the entire time or just pop in for a little while!
Register here for this session!
Wednesday 23 September 2020 (6.30 – 8:00 pm) – Headspace Services
This week, Alison (from Headspace in Launceston) will join us to have a chat about what happens at Headspace in Launceston, who they are and how to access their service.
Afterwards, we will have time to ask Alison some questions and to have a chat with each other.
Everyone is welcome – join us for the entire time or just pop in for a little while!
Register here for this session!
Headspace centres act as a one-stop shop for young people who need help with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drugs or work and study support. Come along and find out more about how to access your local Headspace centre.
Wednesday 7 October 2020 (6.30 – 8:00 pm) – Boundary Setting
This week, Ruth (from Arafmi Ltd) will join us to have a chat about boundary setting as a carer.
Afterwards, we will have time to ask Ruth some questions and to have a chat with each other. We’d love to hear about any techniques that you have found useful to set boundaries as a support person. Come along and share, have a chat, or just listen.
Everyone is welcome – join us for the entire time or just pop in for a little while!
Register here for this session!
