Australian carers face own mental stress caring for someone with a mental illness

New research by SANE Australia shows 56% of people caring for someone with mental illness find their physical and mental health suffer as a result of their caring role.

Alarmingly, 70% of carers report having received no relevant training or education, and due to lack of availability, more than half have not accessed support services of any kind. One in four carers experience mental illness themselves.

SANE Australia has released The SANE Guide for Families, the essential resource for families, friends and other carers of people with a mental illness.

It explains how everyone in a family can be affected, the services available, and the skills needed to help support their relative’s recovery.

Included in the Guide are tips to help the whole family cope; with practical advice on what to do in a range of situations, how to care for yourself, steps to take in planning for the time when you are no longer able to care, and what to do in a crisis.

When someone develops a mental illness, families can find themselves thrown into an intense role that was once performed by health professionals with extensive training. In some cases the carer must leave paid employment to provide comprehensive support.

For more information visit www.sane.org