A carer plays an immensely important support role for many people with a mental health challenge. Often, these carers are close friends and family members who sacrifice many things, including educational pursuits, employment opportunities and their own emotional & physical wellbeing, to provide the best support to their loved one.

While a very rewarding responsibility, being a mental health carer is often also equally challenging. As a society, we are often so caught up in the care of the individual’s with a mental health challenge that we forget, and the carers themselves, often forget about their own mental wellbeing. Over the last few decades, mental health carer support has become a more prominent part of society. Countless organisations now exist to support a carer, through several strategies, including:

Advocacy

A mental health system in any state, especially WA, is complex and can be challenging to navigate. An advocacy team like HelpingMinds’ will assist with understanding your rights, complaints, referrals, information and resources. Plus, they are dedicated to ensuring your wishes are expressed when decisions are being made about your loved one.

Counselling

By aligning with the right organisation, a mental health carer is likely to be able to access free and confidential counselling for adults and young people. A counselling session is perfect for dealing with the mix of emotions that come with caring for someone with mental ill-health.

NDIS

In cases where a carer is supporting someone with longstanding and a severe psychosocial disability that impacts their daily life, there may be eligible assistance for both through the National Disability Scheme (NDIS). With select cases, mental health help organisation can assist by supporting you through the NDIS process, including the application paperwork and gathering supporting evidence of the mental health challenge.

Peer Support Worker

Speaking to someone who has gone through a similar experience is often comforting and helpful to carers. Consequently, mental health support organisations such as HelpingMinds are continually looking to connect current carers with those who have been in their shoes before to help the former navigate through the difficult times.

Respite

A mental health carer is often capable of receiving respite, which allows them the chance to break away from their usual caring duties and responsibilities which are tended to by someone else. Respite services included – emergency, planned, in-home, residential, day programs, retreats and recreation-based. A respite day offers mental health carers the opportunity to recharge their batteries, so to speak.

Support Events, Groups & Workshops

Many organisations facilitate and host a number of support events, groups and workshops for local mental health carers. All of these activities, whether at the beach or in an office or a movie night, are designed to offer a safe environment for carers to come together and support each other in a close community.

As we see, there’s a long list of support services available to mental health carers, all designed to help care for them! If you are a mental health carer in Perth and are interested in learning more about support services, we recommend connecting with HelpingMinds. In addition to helping those dealing with mental health challenges, HelpingMinds offers a plethora of mental health support services to adults and families, young people, schools and communities in WA and the Northern Territory.