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4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

NikNikSenior Contributor16 July 2015, 9:27 pm AEST

4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Hi everyone,

Tomorrow we are closing our current poll (on the right hand side on the carers homepage) and I was blown away with the results as they currently stand.

100% of respondents said Emotional Support is what they wanted help with the most. This rated the highest over -

- Financial support

- Assistance with day to day tasks

- Respite support

In a way we shouldn't be surpised by this result. Carers are more at risk of experiencing mental health difficulties than someone not in a caring role.

We thought we would share with you 4 ways to get emotional support:

1) Peer support: sharing a conversation with a fellow carer can be comforting. There is a mutual understanding that underpins the relationship. You can find connect with other peers online (ie: this forum!) or face to face. One way to find a face to face carer support group is by calling ARAFMI in your state, or Mind Australia

2) Seek professional support: You don't have a diagnosed mental illness to see a professional - sometimes speaking to a psychologist or a counsellor is a good 'tune up' and a preventative measure. Carers Australia offer counselling for carers.

3) Seek out your network of friends and family: Being connected helps reduce emotional strain. You may not want to talk about your caring role with your friends, but having a healthy connected friendship increases our wellbeing. Be sure to make it a priority to connect with friends and family.

4) Plan and get into a routine of self care: Carers hear this all the time – "look after yourself", but often the health of carers suffer. Self care is different for everyone, for some it might be a hobby or interest, for others it might practicing meditation. Connecting with Mental health carer organisations (ie: ARAFMI, MIND, Mental Health Carers) carer specific organisations (Carers Australia) can take you through what respite options they can assist you with

If you want to speak more about these options, you can ring SANE Australia helpline on 1800 18 7263

Are there any other tips or names of organisations they have used for emotional support?

19 replies

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In response to: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Shaz51Senior Contributor02 Dec 2015, 8:22 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

hi @NikNik Seeking out your network of friends and family is the biggest one for me -- we don`t have any friends , I know our families love us but there is no support which makes it hard , I try to involve family and friends in our lives. sometimes i find it hard to know what to do next .

In response to: Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

NikNikSenior Contributor03 Dec 2015, 5:51 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Hi @Shaz51

I think your experience that you have spoken about with your family, is common for carers. They know they are loved, but at times families don't know how to support.

Some times people want to be supportive, but don't know how or what to do - and then avoid the topic / issue altogether. It can be useful to spell out what support you want to loved ones. Is this something you have tried before?

In response to: Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Shaz51Senior Contributor03 Dec 2015, 6:44 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Hi @NikNik thankyou , not sure want support i want or need from my Family , which makes it hard for me and them

In response to: Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

NikNikSenior Contributor03 Dec 2015, 8:51 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

That is a tough one @Shaz51 - the ultimate question.

You deserve to feel supported, so the challenge is for you to define what 'support' means, feels like, looks like, for you.

Have you engaged with any of the other forms of support on the list?

Peer support
Professional support
Self care

If so, do you find them helpful?

In response to: Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Shaz51Senior Contributor03 Dec 2015, 9:45 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Hi @NikNik I have copied them and saved it on my computer to look at and to apply them , thank you for all the support

In response to: Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

NikNikSenior Contributor03 Dec 2015, 10:00 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Tell us how you go 🙂 I know many carers here are yet to engage with support for themselves, so if you can provide any insight into your experience, it would be welcomed 🙂

In response to: Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

PeppiPattySenior Contributor03 Dec 2015, 11:16 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Dear @NikNik

Yesterday, went to an Arafmi support group. It's got me to feel more engergised and validated.

In response to: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

PeppiPattySenior Contributor03 Dec 2015, 11:27 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Dear @MockingJay

I just saw your message .....thank you so much.

Everything you wrote hit home for me. I've been a 'caerr,' proffecionally and at home for years but how you write was something i couldnt write like.

for work...yep,I'm right there. At home though, when I was caring for my son, I was numb some of the time, remembering it all was like...the years did just melt away.

The older I get the more I need to care for myself.

In response to: Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

Shaz51Senior Contributor04 Dec 2015, 9:03 pm AEDT

Re: 4 (or more!) ways carers can recieve emotional support

yes, not sure yet , but some insight will be good

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