Connect with others for mutual understanding, guidance, relevant information, support, and strength.
When someone in your family is affected by a mental health challenge the whole family is affected.
Caring for someone living with mental health challenges can be confusing, overwhelming, exhausting and isolating.
However, you do not have to go through this alone.
Our Mental Health Carer Peer Workers draw upon their own lived experience of caring to offer support in a non-judgmental safe space.
The government have recognised that unpaid carers may need to access support.
THIS FREE SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU
In Australia, there are around 2.7 million people looking after a family member with a disability, medical condition, mental health challenge or frailty due to age.
Am I a carer?
If you are supporting someone with mental health challenges even if they have not received a formal diagnosis, then you are a mental health carer.
The support you provide may include a wide range of practical support and emotional stability. Tasks can include day to day errands such as preparing meals, maintaining a clean environment, accompanying to appointments, assistance with medications, handling administrative matters, as well as providing ongoing emotional support.
You may think you are simply a concerned parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or friend, but it’s important to recognise the critical role you play as their mental health carer.
What is a Carer Peer Worker?
Our team of Carer Peer Workers draw upon their own personal experiences of caring to offer support in a non-judgmental safe environment.
Our Carer Peer Workers can provide support when you need to talk to someone who understands what you are going through. Or they can complement family support counsellors by providing individual or group support either by phone, online or in person.
What can I expect?
We can offer six free 30-minute one-on-one sessions after our services have been deemed suitable for you during the intake process.
We also offer regular free unlimited support groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mental health carer peer support?
Mental Health Carer Peer Support is a form of support where individuals who care for someone with a mental health challenge can connect with other carers. It is provided by those who have lived experience of caring for someone with mental health challenges, offering shared understanding, empathy, and practical advice.
Who can access mental health carer peer support?
Anyone who cares for a person with a mental health challenge, whether they’re a family member, friend, or partner, can access mental health carer peer support. This support is valuable for both full-time and part-time carers. The mental health challenges do not need to be formally diagnosed.
How can mental health carer peer support help?
Mental health carer peer support provides emotional support, reduces feelings of isolation, and helps mental health carers cope with the challenges of caregiving. It also offers practical advice, resources, and coping strategies from others who’ve been in similar situations.
What are the benefits of mental health carer peer support?
- Emotional relief through shared experiences
- Gaining practical knowledge and coping strategies
- Building a network of support
- Improved self-care and mental well-being
- Reduced feelings of isolation and stress
How is mental health carer peer support different from professional counselling?
Peer support is based on shared experiences and tends to be more informal. It focuses on mutual sharing and understanding, while professional counselling is led by a licensed therapist or counsellor who provides structured therapy.
Is there a cost for mental health carer peer support
At HelpingMinds mental health carer peer support is free of charge, like the majority of our mental health carer services.
Can mental health carer peer support be done online?
Yes, some of our services can be provided either online or via telephone.
How can I get the most out of mental health carer peer support
Being open to sharing your experiences and actively listening to others can help you get the most from peer support. It’s also important to engage regularly with the group and seek additional resources or professional support if needed.
What is the difference between mental health carer peer support and Carer Gateway?
Carer Gateway is a comprehensive, government-run service that provides a wide range of practical support for all types of carers, while Mental Health Carer Peer Support is a more informal, experience-based support system specifically for those caring for someone experiencing mental health challenges.
Both services can be valuable, and many carers benefit from accessing both, depending on their individual needs
Services:
- Carer Gateway: Offers a broad range of services for all carers, whether they care for someone with a physical disability, mental health condition, chronic illness, old age, or other needs. It provides practical support such as counselling, financial advice, skills training, respite care, and emergency assistance.
- Mental health carer peer support: Specifically focuses on mental health carers. It’s centered around peer-to-peer support, where carers share experiences, empathy, and practical advice based on their lived experience of supporting someone with mental health challenges.
Support:
- Carer Gateway: Provides professional services, including access to counsellors, respite services, and educational resources. The support is formal, structured, and offered by trained professionals or service providers.
- Mental health carer peer support: Emphasises mutual support from others who have been in similar situations. It’s typically informal and based on shared lived experiences, offering emotional support and practical tips from fellow carers.
