Connect with people who understand what you are going through, seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.

47,612Members
1,358,869Posts
1,400,000Visitors

What do you think of the term "carer"?

HobbitSenior Contributor06 Nov 2014, 8:56 pm AEDT

What do you think of the term "carer"?

Hi Everyone,

It's Hobbit here (I'm a moderator on these forums for those that don't know me).

Besides these forums, I also work at Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW Inc. Recently we had some correspondence from the NSW Mental Health Commission regarding the term "carer" and what people actually think of this term.

I myself have talked to a lovely woman recently who said "what is it with the word 'carer'? I'm not so much a carer as I am a mother"

I thought I would take the opportunity open a discussion and see what you wonderful people thought of the term "carer".

Here is the correspondence that we received from the Mental Health Commission. If you want to view it on ARAFMI's website go here

Message below:

“I am not long back from a trip to NZ where I had the opportunity to visit some mental health services and programs. I was taken with the use of the term family/whanau when referring to family members of consumers. I am probably poking a hornets’ nest by asking you where our current thinking is at a national and policy level about the term ‘carer’ but I would be interested to know whether there is any enthusiasm for change.”

I would LOVE to hear from you guys, YOU ARE THE ONES THAT CARE!!! If you guys want to tell me your thoughts on this topic it, the Hobbit will be your voice!!

Hobbit.

29 replies

11 - 20 of 29

1 2 3

In response to: What do you think of the term "carer"?

GraySenior Contributor22 Nov 2014, 7:33 pm AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Hi JT,

I am an ex-carer. I ran away from a completely out of control, explosive situation.

There is no "short version" of why I despise the term "Consumer".

All I can say, for now, is that by its literal meaning, it is part of a conspiracy by the government to make mentally ill people and their carers feel guilty about using their already pathetic services and to shove them out into the community, unsupported.

The nonsense term "stigma" is part of that family too.

Not sure how far I can go in this forum.. Guess I'll soon find out Mr Hobbit mediator.

I'll try to be nice but it is not easy.

In response to: Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

NikNikSenior Contributor22 Nov 2014, 7:40 pm AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Hi @Gray

@Hobbit will be back online on Thursday. Can I assist you with anything in the meantime?

I agree with you, I'm not a fan of consumer. We tend to refer to someone who has experienced a mental health difficulty as someone with lived experience (which we have named our other forum for people who are experiencing mental health difficulties).

I hope you find the forums helpful & productive.

Take care

In response to: Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

PeppiPattySenior Contributor22 Nov 2014, 8:46 pm AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Dear Gray,

I feel like this though as well....

without being a 'victim,' I choose to own all that I am and have done. Without focusing on the really sad things.

But as being a woman in today's society, I have noticed that some women get themselves into pretty tricky situations. I personally entered a relationship quickly after my husband and I separated and when his circumstances changed, he found an excuse to fall heavily into d&a and sad very sad things happened for us to separate.

to keep MYSELF in a good place, I choose to thnk of a University Lecturer I know who is like me. she happily talks of her consumer place. I choose to speak of and make my little story less impact so much on my life.
I do not like the term COnsumer. It's yucky and 'people don't know what I mean when I speak of me being a consummer so I say. Yes. My name is JT and I am a consumer which means I have chosen to access mental health agencies in the past.

but choose to speak of why I accessed mental health agencies and .....my life is not as bad as other people's are.
Iv also noticed that now I'm working ...thanks a big bit to this wonderful forum.....I need to take care of myself. I see ridiculous things though I have asked not to give me any hard work clients.
it took me about five years to get to where I am. I learnt to take care of myself which was very difficult.
Gray! we are here! you are interesting. owning your own story is a different feeling.

In response to: Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

NikNikSenior Contributor22 Nov 2014, 9:55 pm AEDT

Consumer

This comment has been moved by a moderator to another part of the forum where it might be more easily found by the community.

In response to: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Alessandra1992Senior Contributor22 Nov 2014, 11:42 pm AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Welcome to the forum @gray.
Like @justanother47yr, I am a consumer and I am a carer.
I wear both with pride as the history of the mental health consumer movement goes back a long way, as far back as the 1600s when an inpatient in a French asylum became well enough to become the superintendent for the asylum.
So for me, consumer means activist in a similar vein to being a feminist. Consumers in Australia in the past were ignored, locked up and had their rights removed..
Which can still occur today in many States and Territories with involuntary admissions etc.
However, change is happening and has been happening for well over 20 years.
Without Consumers you would not see Carer Consultant s employed. Carer and Consumer consultants and Consumer Academics and the Lived Experience Workforce are changing the dominant medicalised culture in many clinical and community mental health services..
So in terms of terminology, the Consumer Movement is political and personal.. The carer movement is similarly motivated..from different perspectives though..
Our Consumer Place is a brilliant website and repository of knowledge that you may find inspiring..
Take care in the meantime, and use your voice for regional Australia..

In response to: Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

GraySenior Contributor23 Nov 2014, 5:57 pm AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Hi Nik, Nik

Not only am I new to this Forum, I am also new to the whole concept of Forums, the rules by which they are managed/moderated and in particular how to use them.

Since I started a few days ago I've had around 16 direct(via my Outlook Express) emails and when I click on them I am directed to different places and wonderful, diverse, confusing universes.

At this point in time I am in two minds as to whether I will persist.. I'm getting old and tired.

Having said that, I probably will push on.

Ya never know do ya?

In response to: Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

MrsWhoContributor10 Jan 2015, 8:36 pm AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

"Carer" is not my favourite word, because as others have said calling yourself that seems to overrule the other relationship (partner/parent/family/friend etc) and imply the person who is ill is unable to care for themselves at all.

However, it is also a helpful reminder that we do a lot of extra caring much of the time and that this requires us to make sure we are also cared for/look after ourselves.

In response to: Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

GraySenior Contributor11 Jan 2015, 10:07 am AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Hi Mrs Who.. No Tardis or Darlek jokes OK...

There is an implicit meaning within the the label "Carer".

In a nutshell, to save money by providing third rate mental health services, the government emotionally blackmales so called carers into believing it is their duty to care for their mentally ill charges.

In this way they can prematurely boot mentally ill people out into the community, before their time, into the unprepared arms of CARERS who feel guilty if they cant pick up and run with the sometimes, erratically bouncing ball.

Similar logic applies to the label "Consumer."

Gray

In response to: Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

PeppiPattySenior Contributor13 Jan 2015, 1:00 am AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Dearest Gray,
hood to hear from you, you very clever man.
I love reading your messages because they are always quite right with a twisted bend.
I am now going to make it my mission to being more examples of your past messages and twist in em.

I must say, I was watching ' Breaking Bad' the only DVD series I have on me with my new friend I met a month ago and was reminded of what positive reinforcement can do to the vulnerable carer.

the example I will write of, is wife Skylar White. She was meeting her brother in law in a cafe and another time, in her work with her sister. they both just realised that Walter White, her husband, was the baddy. Her brother in law, though desperate to catch the baddy, was giving her so much love, I felt amazed and it brought back memories of the baddy partners I've had in the past.

that Skylar, the carer of her oldest son and new mother to her daughter was treated with so much sensitivity and love.
And Skylar was able to act like she wanted with knowing she will always be loved by her family.
It affected me because, at 47 years old and enough years in therapy to be more than primary and high school put together ......that I'm still affected and touched by positive reinforcement.

In response to: Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

GraySenior Contributor13 Jan 2015, 9:28 am AEDT

Re: What do you think of the term "carer"?

Hi JUst47

Anyone who loves to read my posts and thinks I am a clever man, has my heart. Will you marry me?

But seriously, I have had many, many Baddy relationships, as you call them, in my life too.. probably mostly my fault... Wish I could offer some advice, but I can't. By now, at 65, you'd think I would know the answer wouldn't you? Hows this: Don't get twisted like me.

I note that I am called a Senior Constributor now. Hmmm?? Perhaps because I am an old fart.

I have lotsa pain in my body, my head and my heart.

I get the feeling you are lonely.

Gray

11 - 20 of 29

1 2 3