Our story began in 1984, a time when Bob Hawke was prime minister, Medicare was launched, the first dollar coin was introduced, we didn’t lock our front doors and mental health just wasn’t talked about, let alone the role of unpaid support people and carers.

That year, in Launceston, Ethnee Shields was talking about mental health, those living with mental ill health and their support people. She wanted to help other people living with mental ill health and support people so she rallied together a loyal and committed group of mental health advocates. They met socially to connect, share their experiences and frustrations, share information and feel less alone. From there, ARAFMI Tasmania was born (The Association for the Friends and Relatives of Mentally ill).

In Hobart, Anne Bevan was leading change too, raising awareness and funds to help other support people. She obtained enough funds to run support workshops, and education sessions.

Arafmi Hobart was auspiced (supported and guided) by the Mental Health Council of Tasmania.

And while the topic of mental health is more accepted, we still have a long way to go to reduce stigma – both for the people we support and us as support people.

• To meet growing demand, the intention is to hire a part-time employee
• Short-term funding is obtained but not enough to maintain quality services
• Talk of consolidating northern and southern Arafmi groups to work together, attract essential ongoing government funds
• Mental Health Services state that funding could be available for Arafmi in the future. Joint planning meetings are held.
• Official amalgamation occurs on August 25 2007 at the annual general meeting
• Policies and processes were developed, along with constitutional changes and a streamlined budgeting system. Additional transition funds were obtained from Mental Health Services as well as funding from Mental Health Australia for a Capacity Development Project leading to the development of a Business Plan.

• Strategy for 2007-2009 is created
• Arafmi moves into providing specialist information, support services, and advocacy informed by lived experience
• Increased public profile
• Improvements in operations and governance
• 2 regional staff members become 1 full-time employee to assist with administration and project support
• In 2012 the management committee becomes the Board of Management and Arafmi changes its name to Mental Health Carers Tasmania
• The head office opens in Hobart, and Wendy Groot is appointed Executive Officer.
• Volunteers are still invaluable; assisting with Schizophrenia Awareness Week, Wellness and Resilience Workshops, Roads to Recovery, and more
• As with all organisations, personnel came in and out of a changing Board of Management. Gary Kelly handed over as President to Kate Shipway at the 2009 AGM, and Kate did likewise in 2016 to Christ Batt.
• June 2016 we farewell Wendy Groot and welcomed Maxine Griffiths AM as Chief Executive Officer

• In September after extensive consultation Mental Health Carers Tasmania becomes Mental Health Families and Friends Tasmania
• A primary driver for the name change comes directly from the feedback that the term “carer” didn’t adequately capture the unique lived experience or the relational relationships between people experiencing mental illness and their supporters. Respondents saw themselves as kin, a friend, family member, partner, friend, work colleague, or neighbour, and stepped into a support role because of the relationship rather than the role