CARING for someone else often means putting yourself last.

When supporting someone else, there are few places to turn for support.

Luckily for mental health carers in Warwick, there's Arafmi.

The support group for mental health care workers has been meeting monthly in town for the past two-and-a-half years.

On Thursday, a workshop was held aimed at teaching carers how to take care of themselves.

Arafmi carer support worker Michelle Hoffman said the group was built on sharing experiences.

"It's a forum for people to come and be able to share and talk - to know they're not alone," she said.

"It really helps with all the challenges of caring for someone with a mental illness."

For the carers, Arafmi is a great place to learn.

Participant Barbara Hannan said the workshop was helpful.

"It focused on understanding yourself, knowing yourself and looking after yourself so you're able to look after someone else," she said.

"You have to take care of yourself before you can care for others."

Arafmi isn't a new concept to Warwick.

Philomena Aspinall remembers when the first Arafmi group began in the 1970s. Mrs Aspinall knows the benefits of supporting carers as a former community health nurse with 27 years experience.

"It just gives companionship, information and support to people who are carers - eases all the burdens to do with mental health," she said.

Arafmi meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10.30am in the Warwick Library meeting room.