With growing awareness of the challenges of those living with mental illness, the spotlight is now on their carers.
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A new Leadership Great South Coast project aims to give voice to carers to change how they are acknowledged and supported.
Team lead Leon Carey said carers often felt invisible and unheard in community discussions about mental illness. “The lives of mental health carers, whether they’re parents, partners, friends or family members, can change enormously,” Mr Carey said.
“Being a carer can be incredibly challenging and it can restrict people’s lives in terms of their social activities, their career and even just their personal time and space. Often they are thrust into the role with no training or formal experience and very little support or recognition.”
Mr Carey said the project team was gathering information and stories from carers with a view to create a new resource for mental health services.
This resource, which will be presented to the Fight for Your Life taskforce and Wellways Australia, will document carers’ stories and provide evidence-based recommendations to organisations providing mental health support services.
The project will include an anonymous online survey and a series of interviews with carers who will be invited to share their experiences. To participate go to surveymonkey.com/r/HRL2DH9 or email info@leadershipgreatsouthcoast.org.au.