This opinion piece appeared in The Canberra Times on 14 June 2024. It is written by Debbie Childs, CEO at HelpingMinds.
ACROSS Australia, there’s a silent army of around 240,000 unsung heroes, who are our unpaid mental health carers. From school children to grandparents, these remarkable individuals dedicate their lives to supporting someone facing mental health challenges. Their commitment is both physical and emotional, yet often, they don’t even recognise themselves as carers. Despite their immense contribution, these everyday heroes remain hidden in plain sight. Their efforts often unacknowledged, their needs unmet.
Unfortunately, this lack of recognition can prevent them from seeking support for themselves, leading to increased stress and isolation. Are you one of these 240,000 carers?
When you reflect on your daily responsibilities, do you spend a significant amount of time helping a family member or friend with their mental health needs? Carers often neglect their own needs prioritising the wellbeing of their loved ones. If you find yourself constantly worrying about someone else’s health, feeling overwhelmed by their care demands, and having little time for yourself, you are likely a carer. Recognising this role is the first step toward accessing the support you deserve and more than likely need.
Being a carer can be both rewarding and incredibly challenging. The emotional toll of supporting someone with a mental health condition can lead to elevated levels of anxiety and depression. Additionally, the economic impact is significant. Unpaid carers in Australia contribute an estimated $13.2 billion to the economy annually, which is 1.7 times the current national expenditure on all mental health services.
Despite this immense contribution, the personal cost to carers – such as career sacrifices and reduced quality of life – can be substantial. Mental health carers are far more likely to develop their own mental health challenges due to stressors of the caring role.
While people who care for a person with mental ill health share common issues and experiences with other carers, they also face unique challenges. The unpredictable nature of mental illness, coupled with societal stigma, exacerbates isolation and stress. Many mental health carers report high levels of anxiety and depression, a direct consequence of the relentless and often thankless nature of their work.
Moreover, the emotional toll of seeing a loved one struggle with mental health issues can be devastating, leaving carers feeling helpless and unsupported. Fortunately, there are various support systems in place to help carers manage their responsibilities more effectively. Organisations like HelpingMinds offer a range of services designed to support carers.However, a critical gap exists in respite care.
Respite care is essential for maintaining your own health and well-being. It gives you the opportunity to rest and recharge, ensuring that you can continue to provide high-quality care.
Unfortunately, with the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the introduction of the Carer Gateway, the Commonwealth government stopped funding respite care for Mental Health Carers This vital support, previously available, is now missing, leading to an increase in carer burnout. Carer burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged caregiving. It can lead to severe health issues, including depression, anxiety, and chronic stress.
According to Carers Australia, carer burnout is becoming increasingly common due to the lack of respite options and the continuous, high demands of caregiving. Re-funding respite care for mental health carers would have significant benefits.
Regular breaks are crucial for carers to maintain their health and well-being, preventing burnout and enabling them to provide sustained, effective care. Access to respite care can reduce stress, improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life for carers.
It’s time for our society and governments to acknowledge and support these vital contributors to our community. This includes reinstating crucial services like respite care, which can prevent carer burnout and ensure sustainable caregiving into the future.
Our 240,000 mental health carers are the backbone of our society, yet many remain unrecognised and unsupported. Surely, it’s time to change this narrative and give these unsung heroes the recognition and assistance they deserve.
Deborah Childs is the chief executive ofHelping Minds.