Mental Health Carers Service

Mental ill-health affects one in four of us at some point in our lives and can cover a range of conditions, from the mild to the severe. Depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, obsessions, phobias, as well as misuse of alcohol and drugs are just a few of the most common mental health problems.

Mental health conditions can leave sufferers confused and isolated, in turn leading to profound feelings of despair and even thoughts of suicide.

Carers Support Workers

Cornwall Carers Service has dedicated Mental Health Carer Support Workers who can visit carers in their home to offer support and information, and help identify and access services to support Carers in their role.

The service can be accessed via our Helpline;

0800 266383 Open Mon – Fri. 8:00am to 6:00pm. An answereing service is available outside of these hours

Other Support and Information

Depending on the illness and its seriousness, the help and support provided by carers, friends and family can be of great importance when it comes to successfully treating mental health problems. Just remember there’s only so much you can do, so be aware of your limits and the fact that your own life is important too. The Princess Royal Trust for Carers have information on ways to reduce stress levels for you and the person you care for.

Discuss with others

Discussing the situation with someone you trust, e.g. a family member or close friend can be very helpful. Consulting the GP, psychiatrist, the care coordinator or support worker of the person you are caring for can help to clarify the situation, relieve any feelings of anxiety and perhaps even help find a way to help alleviate the problem itself.

Confidentiality

The area of confidentiality is an important one for carers and the people with mental health problems they are looking after. Confidentiality issues can be complex and hard to resolve, not to mention frustrating. You may find yourself feeling that your efforts are not appreciated, as even when you try to help, you cannot get access to the facts or discuss the case with any of the professionals involved, leading to a feeling that you’re ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’.

Royal College of Psychiatrists – Carers and Confidentiality

Indeed, Carers and Confidentiality was just one of a range of Mental Health Factsheets The Princess Royal Trust for Carers produced with the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Partners in Care

Together with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers have produced a range of useful leaflets specifically for carers which provides easy to read practical information on mental health conditions, questions to ask mental health professionals, confidentiality and much more, these can be found at:

Royal College of Psychiatrists – Partners in Care

Triangle of Care report

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the National Mental Health Development Unit has published a guide which emphasises the need for better involvement of carers and families in the care planning and treatment of people with mental ill-health.

The Triangle of Care describes the therapeutic alliance that needs to exist between service user, staff and carer to ensure informed care planning, support recovery and sustain wellbeing of both service user and carer. It was developed to address the clear evidence from carers that they need to be listened to and consulted more closely.

The guide outlines key elements to achieving this as well as examples of good practice.

Find out more about the Triangle of Care

Return to Adult Carers Services