Respite For Carers

When faced with the challenges associated with caring for your relative or friend with a mental illness, it is important to actively nurture your own mental health. As a carer you do not have to cope alone. Be aware, however, that it is not unusual to feel upset of overwhelmed and that feelings of depression are common. You may like to consider the suggestions which follow and try to select those which you feel you could most easily do. Begin with those and introduce some others step by step.

 

Some steps include:

  • Don't isolate yourself from others
  • Participate in interests and hobbies
  • Maintain an interest in new people and activities
  • Accept support and seek help when you need to
  • Use relaxation techniques in stressful times
  • Try to get regular exercise and sleep
  • Understand that your feelings are normal reactions to stressful situations

 

It is important to recognize that we are all vulnerable to stress throughout our lives. Stress occurs when there are complex demands made on us. Caring for your relative or friend with a mental illness can be unpredictable and can stretch your physical and emotional resources.

 

Stress associated with caring for a person who is experiencing mental health problems is recognized as damaging to a carers' physical and emotional well-being. Examples of physical symptoms of stress are headaches, stomach upsets, sleep disturbances, agitation, changes in appetite and concentration difficulties.

 

When the human body is placed under physical or psychological stress, this can cause increases in the production of certain hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol. These hormones produce marked changes in heart rate, blood pressure levels, metabolism and physical activity.

 

Other helpful tips include:

  • If you think the stress in your life is becoming overwhelming it may be helpful to deal with different stresses one at a time
  • There are mental health courses available to assist you in your caring role and to provide you with skills to support you and your family
  • Support groups give you an opportunity to share your experiences and learn from others who are in a similar situation
  • Respite services may be available to offer a break
  • Learn which strategies suit you best to deal with the stress in your life

 

Respite options

Respite is taking a break from the responsibility of looking after someone. It may be for a few hours, a day, a night or even weeks, respite is a way of relieving the stress of being a carer. If you are a carer, making time for yourself is important for your own health and well being.

 

It is important not to wait until you feel under stress before you ask for respite. Regular breaks should be an essential part of managing your care.

 

Respite can happen in a variety of ways or setting that suit you and your relative or friend. For example you may want respite to enable you to do your weekly shopping or go to exercise classes or, for a longer period to go on holiday or just to have a break.

 

Call Commonwealth Carelink 1800 052 222. They can assist you with:

  • Information about individual support and counselling options available to mental health carers
  • Contact details of respite services which may be able to offer you a break
  • Information about services and mental health courses that support carers in their caring role
  • To link with support groups  and the opportunity to share your experiences and learn from others who are in a similar situation

 The Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre (1800 059 059) can provide short-term and emergency respite