Mental Health Carer Respite

The RESP-ECCT program is a mental health and wellbeing program focusing on the needs of carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The program provides services to carers, their families and communities across North Brisbane (to Deception Bay).

RESP-ECCT is a consortia partnership between 4 different organisations offering a range of flexible and culturally sensitive services. It includes: QPASTT, Communify, Bayside Community Options and the Multicultural Development Association.

Please download the Program Brochure here.

What can RESP-ECCT provide?
  • Carer/family information and support
  • Carer/family recreational and peer group activities
  • Natural therapies – massage and aromatherapy
  • Referral to appropriate services
  • Support e.g. cultural and language supports to attend activities and services
  • Other supports that assist carers in their caring role

How to refer?

QPASTT coordinates referrals to this Program via the Referral Form and referrals are discussed weekly within the agency. We will contact referrers to the Program within a week of receiving the referral form. You can refer yourself or make a referral for another person, with their consent. If a child or young person under the age of 18 is being referred the parent or guardian will need to give permission for the referral.

Please forward your referral forms to referral@qpastt.org.au or FAX: (07) 3391 6388


If the person you are referring needs an interpreter, you can contact the Telephone Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 or call QPASTT and we can arrange an interpreter for you.

You may wish to contact our duty counsellor between 9am and 5pm on (07) 3391 6677 to discuss or facilitate a referral.

What is respite?

Respite is about providing support to a carer or carers, so they are able to be supported in their role as carer while maintaining their own wellbeing and individual needs. It can be about taking a break or getting support in a number of different ways to achieve this. Respite may involve family, friends and community members.

Respite could involve assistance to the carer or the person they are caring for to attend an activity they enjoy or provision of support in their home. It could be the carer attending a community event that allows them to engage with others as well as have a break. Our service can also provide information about mental health, caring as well as alternative services and support systems that may be useful.

What mental health concerns are we working with?

Examples include psychotic and non-psychotic disorders such as depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, affective disorders, mood and personality disorders, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress and eating disorders. Our program does not require a formal diagnosis for eligibility and we do prioritise support for carers who are supporting someone with a severe mental illness.

Who are carers?

This Program aims to explore the role of carers within different culturally and linguistically diverse communities. We assume that this role is flexible and may be taken up by family members, friends and even supportive community structures. A carer does not need to live in the same house as the person they are caring for, but they need to be providing ongoing support. There may be multiple family members who are carers, and a young person under the age of 18 may be a carer.