Caring for someone with mental health issues
When it comes to caring, there is no ‘right’ way or approach to support someone with a mental illness.
How you care for someone will be unique to you and the person you care for depending on what they are suffering with.
Research from Action for Carers shows that carers from mixed or multiple ethnic backgrounds are most likely to be caring for someone with a mental health condition while carers from all other ethnic groups were most likely to be caring for someone with a physical disability.
Here at Bristol Black Carers, we have put together some advice and guidance. Caring is not easy, and mental health issues can be complex.
It’s important to look after yourself as well as the person you care for.
Remember, you are not alone.
What it means to care for someone with a mental illness
Because mental health problems are not visible, and the support needed can be more emotional than practical, carers often don’t see themselves as carers.
You could be providing all sorts of help – emotional support, positivity, encouragement, and also quite often practical help too, like help with daily tasks that they might find overwhelming. You are a carer.
Learn about the condition of the person you care for
You can learn about mental illnesses on trusted websites such as Rethink or Mind. You could also borrow a book from the library.
The NHS also has reliable information about mental health conditions.
Some common mental health conditions can include:
Anxiety
Bipolar disorder
Bulimia and Anorexia
Depression
Obsessive Compulsive disorder (OCD)
Personality disorders (BPD, EUPD)
Phobias
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Psychosis
Schizophrenia
ADHD
Listen actively without judgement
It’s important to create a safe space for open communication. Allow the person you care for to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of being judged. Often, just having someone willing to listen without advising can make a huge difference.
Try to have open conversations
Learning about the mental health issue that the person you care for is suffering with can help you to understand how it affects them day to day.
Having more knowledge can help you feel more confident to support them.
Talk to the person you care for and find out how they experience their issues. It might help to ask them questions like:
What symptoms do you live with?
How often do you get them?
Are there times when they are better or worse?
Do you notice any changes in yourself when you start to become unwell?
What treatment is working for you? (Such as medication or talking therapies)
Do you have any side effects from treatment?
Do you have a crisis plan in place?
Is there anything that I can do to help?
Is there anything that I currently do which doesn’t help?
Go to a carers group or service
You can learn by meeting and talking to other people. Carers groups and services can be helpful to give and receive emotional and practical support. The term ‘carer’ can be tricky as not everyone identifies with this term. However, if you give support to someone with mental illness you will be able to access local carers groups and services for support.
Here at Bristol Black Carers, we advocate for the needs of carers. We make sure your voices are heard. We provide the relevant services and signpost you to other organisations according to your needs and help you to understand the funding and support available.
Get a Carer’s Assessment
As a carer you are entitled to a Carer’s Assessment. This should happen even if the person with the mental health problems does not have an assessment themselves.
This entitles you to support and help as a carer, and recognition of your role. At Bristol Black Carers, we can help you with this.
Take time for yourself
Supporting someone with mental illness can be stressful and difficult at times. It’s important to look after your own health and wellbeing.
Whether it's exercise, meditation, or pursuing hobbies, make sure you make time to do the things that make you feel good.
Try to schedule time (regularly) to do something you find relaxing
Try to keep physically active and keep a well-balanced diet
Join a support group for peer support
Talk to your GP if you are feeling low or stressed. Talking therapies like counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) might help you
Don’t be afraid to take a break from supporting your relative
Seek financial support
Find out if there are any benefits or financial schemes you may be entitled to as a carer. Such as carers allowance or council tax reduction.
You can find more information about benefit entitlement on the Mental Health and Money Advice website.
If the person you care for will not accept help
If someone you care for is struggling but can't or won't reach out for help, and won't accept any help you offer, you are likely to feel distressed and powerless. But it's important to accept that they are an individual, and that there are limits to what you can do to support another person.
You can:
Be patient. There may be reasons why they are finding it difficult to ask for help.
Offer emotional support. Let them know you care about them and you'll be there if they change their mind.
Inform them how to seek help when they're ready (you could show them some helpful pages for the Mind website, for example.)
Look after you, and make sure you don't become unwell yourself.
Get help with Bristol Black Carers
We are able to offer Carers some time away from their caring duties at home. Breaks could include theatre visits, relaxation workshops and access to complimentary therapies.
We run monthly support group meetings which are held between 11am-1pm (lunch included) on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
They are opportunities for Carers and the cared for to listen to a presentation and/or participate in workshops from a diverse range of organisations and agencies on subjects such as understanding the welfare system, basic first aid tips and hints, housing issues and care home advice.
We provide face to face support and advice in homes, schools, day care centres and health centres.