For more than 50 years, Richmond Fellowship Queensland (RFQ) has walked alongside individuals experiencing mental health challenges, providing compassionate, tailored support to strengthen wellbeing across communities.
Now, RFQ has created a new program for those who are often unseen in the recovery journey – carers. The newly launched Family & Friends program supports family members and friends whose loved one has attempted suicide.
Across the Fraser Coast and beyond, family and friends are supporting their loved ones to rebuild following a suicidal crisis. They coordinate appointments, navigate difficult moments, offer reassurance, and try to find resources; all while carrying the quiet weight of worry. Yet many carers report feeling overwhelmed, underprepared, and unsure where to turn for support themselves.
The Family & Friends Program was developed to address this critical gap.
Grounded in lived experience and co-designed with carers, the program recognises that no two caring journeys are the same. It offers a combination of small group sessions, one-on-one support, and practical workshops. Importantly, each program is tailored to the needs of each individual, creating space to share knowledge, explore real-world scenarios, and learn from one another in a safe and respectful environment.
Key focus areas include:
- Maintaining carers’ own health and wellbeing
- Recognising early warning signs of deterioration
- Understanding suicide risk and protective factors
- Building confidence to navigate difficult conversations
- Exploring the importance — and limits — of the carer role.
Carer burnout remains a significant issue across Australia. National advocacy organisations such as Carers Australia consistently highlight the emotional, financial, and social toll of caring responsibilities. Many carers experience chronic stress, disrupted employment, social isolation, and impacts on their own mental health. Programs like Family & Friends recognise that supporting carers is not an added extra – it is essential to achieving sustainable recovery outcomes.
Paul Hayman from RFQ’s Family & Friends program emphasises the power of shared experiences:
“It’s important to create an environment where carers can connect, as their roles can be incredibly isolating. Bringing people together who truly understand one another makes a real difference.”
The Family & Friends program welcomes participants at every stage of their caring journey; whether they are newly supporting a loved one experiencing suicidal distress, or have years of experience navigating complex systems. The program is underpinned by practical, relevant, and responsive material that will empower family and friends in their caring role.
As the conversation around mental health and suicide prevention continues to evolve, there is growing recognition that recovery is not an individual journey. When carers are equipped with knowledge, confidence, and understanding from like-minded people, everyone benefits.
In the coming months, RFQ looks forward to sharing insights about the impact of the Family & Friends Program and what staff are witnessing firsthand across the region.
To learn more about the Family & Friends Program, visit https://rfq.com.au/services/family-and-friends/
