So, you are a Carer/ Support Person for someone experiencing Mental Health and Social / Emotional Wellbeing concerns.
What does that mean?
What is a Carer/Support Person
A Carer or Support Person is someone who voluntarily provides ongoing care or assistance to another person who, because of Mental Health, Social Emotional Wellbeing concerns, or psychiatric disability requires assistance.
Some people do not see themselves as carers, instead see it as part of their relationship with the person affected, so in our service, we acknowledge this by using the term Carer and Support Person.
What do Carers and Support Person’s do:
It’s important to remember that each person is different, and the way that some people provide care and support may look a little different to what you are doing.
Some Carers/Support Person’s may:
Spend a significant amount of time with the person that they provide support to
May be relied upon to attend hospital visits, doctors appointments or counselling sessions with the person they support.
Take leave from their own employment to attend these appointments.
May assist with the household duties for the person that they support.
Provide financial support towards the person that they care for.
Be the one to remind the person they support to take their medication
It is important to remember that not everyone provides the same Care and Support!
Each Individual, Circumstance and Environment is different, but what remains the same is how valuable that care and support is.
Why are Carers/ Support Person’s so Important?
Those who provide care and Support to someone experiencing Mental Health or Social/Emotional Wellbeing concerns are so important because through the support that they provide, the person who receives this care support is able to get this far.
Between 2019 – 2020 there were:
2.65 Million unpaid Carers in Australia.
2.2 Billion Hours of unpaid care.
Mental Health Carers Australia, Annual Report (2019 – 2020).
Research has demonstrated that when people who experience Mental Health or Social/ Emotional Wellbeing Concerns have someone who provides practical, emotional or financial care and support, they have better outcomes in their healing journey.
Carers/ Support Person’s role in Healing
Carers/ Support Persons have an important role to play in the healing journey of the person they provide care and support to. This is because:
They often know the person better than most, and most likely knew the person before they started experiencing Mental Health or Social/Emotional Wellbeing Concerns
They are often a source of information about the person that they provide care for beyond their Mental Health or Social/Emotional Wellbeing Concerns.
They are often there before there before the person they care for accesses a Service Provider and, they are often there when the journey with a service provider ends.
Carers and Support Person’s often know valuable information that will assist a Service Provider with the most accurate assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan which results in better outcomes for the person experiencing Mental Health or Social Emotional Wellbeing concerns.
Impacts of the Caring role
It is important to remember, people do not develop Mental Health or Social/ Emotional Wellbeing Concerns in isolation and it does not only impacts the person it affects.
Everyone’s experience as a Carer or Support Person is unique. We understand that there is a significant amount of commitment associated with providing care and support. This care and support sometimes comes with significant health and financial implications, as it can be emotionally and physically draining. Because of this, those that provide Care and Support are at increased risk of developing Mental Health and Social/Emotional Wellbeing concerns.
Many Carers and Support Person’s find it difficult to focus on their own needs which are often put last. However, when Carers and Support Persons focus on their Social/Emotional Wellbeing it can have positive impacts on the person that they support and care for.
Carers and Support Person’s are entitled to access supports that will help their Social/ Emotional Wellbeing. To get further information about what supports are available click here:
