National Mental Health Commission Study We are seeking participants to help us understand the key issues for older adults to maintain mental health and support those living with mental illness and their carers. Expand NARI is working with the National Mental Health Commission to understand the key issues for older adults to maintain mental health and support those living with mental illness and their carers. We are keen to hear unique insights about the mental health and wellbeing of older people from older people themselves, family and friend carers, service providers and older persons living with mental health challenges. We want to understand how to maintain and support older persons across the mental health spectrum. Would you like to support this work? We are currently recruiting participants for focus groups and individual interviews. Focus group discussions We are seeking people who are: An older person: Aged 65 years and over (or aged 50 years and over if you are from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, live with HIV or have an experience of chronic homelessness). Participants will receive a $40 gift card. You do not need to have personal experience of mental health problems to participate. A carer: An adult (18 years and over) family or friend carer of an older person living with mental illness. Participants will receive a $40 gift card. A service provider: Who works with and supports older people living with mental illness. Focus groups will take 1 – 1 ½ hours. Individual interviews an adult aged 65 years+ (OR 50 years+ if from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders background, living with HIV/AIDS, or have an experience of chronic homelessness) Have a lived experience of mental health problems and have used mental health services in the past 12 months. Interviews will take 40 – 60 minutes. Participants will receive a $75 gift card. Contact our team to learn more: Dr Josefine Antoniades | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 0493 093 969 Mr Peter Feldman | Email: [email protected] Information on focus groups for older people and carers Information on focus groups for service providers Information on interviews with older people
Creative Caring Help develop a multimedia resource about supporting someone living with dementia Expand We will be working with carers to co-design a resource about supporting someone living with dementia. The resource will show the creative ways carers support their relatives with dementia, and highlight the positive aspects of caring. For more information or to register interest in being involved, please contact: Dr Kirsten Moore | Email: [email protected] | Phone: 03 8387 2596
BEFRIENDAS Find out about befriending and how you can volunteer to visit someone or how your aged care facility can get involved. Expand What is befriending? Befriending involves having a regular conversation with a person about everyday topics and events in a friendly way without discussing health problems or emotions. The befriending sessions will be weekly for 4 months and can happen face-to-face, over the telephone or via video calls. We want to find out if befriending can reduce rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness and increase social support in people living in residential aged care. Find out more about the BEFRIENDAS study. How to become involved in the BEFRIENDAS study Aged care organisations Do you have residents with symptoms of depression, anxiety or loneliness? We would like to invite your organisation and residents to participate. Watch this video, and share it with your residents, to find out more about the project. BEFRIENDAS Aged Care Facility Expression of Interest Form BEFRIENDAS Project Summary Volunteers Are you interested in helping reduce depression, anxiety and loneliness in older people living in residential care? Do you want to join the BEFRIENDAS team as a befriender? All you need is COVID-19 immunisation and a current influenza immunisation if you are visiting in person, be aged over 18, obtain a valid police check (we can help you with this) and participate in our training program. Watch our welcome video to hear more about being a volunteer. BEFRIENDAS Volunteer Expression of Interest Form