Who is a carer?

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In this context, a carer is a person (often a family member or friend) who cares for the needs of an individual living with a mental illness by providing various types of support. This support may include:

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• Providing a safe home environment

• Providing emotional support

• Providing social support

• Providing physical supports

• Supporting their mental health

• Providing financial support

• Providing educational support

• Social support

• Transportation

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Carers perform one of the most important roles in the life of someone suffering a mental illness. Most carers take on their role out of love and compassion for the person they are caring for.

At CMC a support is available for the families and the carers of people with a mental illness.

 

Our service aims to improve the wellbeing of families and carers of people with mental health conditions, and the people they support by:

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• Providing clinical services and delivering health promotion activities.

• Offering Counselling, education and training packages that teach families and carers about mental illness and its management, including how to help build coping skills and resilience

• Providing information, resources, one-on-one support, advocacy and coordinating support groups

• Advice and support families and carers with additional needs and cultural diversity

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Many carers juggle more than just the role of carer, including holding down a job and providing for other family members such as children or elderly parents.

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While being a carer is rewarding, it can also be overwhelming and feelings like frustration, resentment, exhaustion, sadness and even anger are common.

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If you are a carer and you experience any of these feelings, they do not mean you care any less for the individual - so don’t be hard on yourself. It is important to recognise your limitations, put boundaries in place and seek help and support when needed.