October is a month when we highlight the role that family and other unpaid carers play in our community by marking Carers Week. The theme in 2026 is: “Care for a carer: Making carers visible”.
It’s also the month we highlight mental health – and the needs and interests of people impacted by mental health conditions. The global theme for this in 2026 is: “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”.
Health Consumers’ Council WA was set up to represent consumer and community interests and elevate and champion their lived experiences. The consumers in our name include patients, carers, family members, community members, and people with a wide range of lived experiences – across all areas of health, including physical and mental health.
These posts from Clara Deans – an experienced health consumer leader from WA – give voice to many of the issues relating to the themes of both these events on the theme of the invisible economy of care.
- Part 1: When I became a carer I did not expect to become invisible https://lnkd.in/p/g9M9yteF
- Part 2: The Hidden Cost of Caring https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/invisible-economy-care-part-2-hidden-cost-caring-clara-deans-7hp8c/
- Part 3: Beyond Gratitude: Seeing the Carer The Invisible Economy of Care, Mental Capital and Mental Wellbeing https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/part-3-beyond-gratitude-seeing-carer-invisible-economy-clara-deans-9a92c/
To everyone – like Clara – in a caring role, HCCWA sees you and will continue doing what we can to elevate and champion your voices.
And likewise to everyone who shares their lived experiences for the good of the broader community – thank you for your work, thank you for your courage, thank you for your strength.
Clare Mullen, CEO