Caring for mental wellbeing of carers
New funding supporting Australia’s 2.6 million carers emotionally and psychologically into the future will ensure they take “time out and turn to the right support services when times are tough”. Carers will have access to support after the announcement of last week’s guaranteed funding.
New funding supporting Australia’s 2.6 million carers emotionally and psychologically into the future will ensure they take “time out and turn to the right support services when times are tough”.
Carers will have access to support after the announcement of last week’s guaranteed funding for counselling services for an extra year.
The federal government will provide $7 million in funding for the National Carer Counselling Program (NCCP) and the Carer Information Support Service (CISS), which will continue to be delivered by Carers Australia and its national network of carer associations.
“Carers dedicate themselves selflessly to improving the quality of the lives of family members or friends with a disability, mental illness, chronic conditions or who are elderly and frail,” Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, says.
According to Mr Butler, the care provided by these people “underpins the lives of many families across Australia”.
“It is often at a cost to their own physical and mental health. It’s important we do what we can to support carers and reduce the social isolation they may experience as a result of their caring responsibilities,” he adds.
The NCCP provides carers with access to individual face-to-face sessions, or web-based, telephone or group sessions at no charge.
The CISS provides carers with access to specialist information and advice, and emotional support as well as a pathway to counselling, support groups, education and training, advocacy, referrals and assistance in planning for the caring role.
Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas, says the funding will help “better respond to the needs of carers” and offer the opportunity of participating in all aspects of society.
“Too many carers ignore their own health and emotional needs because they are so focussed on the needs of their loved one. We need to turn that around,” she adds.
More than $1 million will also be provided over five years to allow Carers Australia to continue to stage its Carers Week.
