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Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember02 May 2019, 1:26 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

Taking on the role of caring for someone with mental health challenges is no easy feat, as mental health differs to physical health, sometimes it can take time to become aware that we are mental health carers in the first place. It can be very emotionally and physically demanding, as well as at times a rewarding experience. One of the really tricky elements of this task is understanding your identity as a carer, as well as supports that may be available to you.

Join us here on Tuesday the 21st of May as one of our Youth Peer Ambassador's (Carer) talks to the community about the challenges of defining our caring role, with a particular emphasis on young carer's. We welcome people from all walks of life to attend this event, and look forward to seeing you here 😄

Want to receive an email reminder on the night? Hit the 'Support' button below.

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor21 May 2019, 9:09 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

By the way, getting creative is a great outlet. I think art helps us to vent positively, perhaps even without realising we are.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

AppleblossomSenior Contributor21 May 2019, 9:14 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

The question of networks is a moot point ...

I have tried 2 local carers groups. One even came with the carrot of a free morning tea and movie. SOmehow I could not bring myself to go and I just keep email contact now. I did not feel strong enough to break into new social ground. Other people also had a lot of need and I had already poujred out so much of my listening time, I knew my needs would not be met by groups.

Mostly I have social contact, if I keep my expressed needs few. This is the pattern of my early childhood too.

The forum has been good for me ... I have not had to leave the house and make specific appointments ... maybe its just the timing ... coincidence .. luck ...

Good night and thanks for the topic

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

Unknown userMember21 May 2019, 10:11 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

Hi all,

I know the topic night is finished but I just wanted to say that this really opened up my mind to something I never thought of. I have been a parental sibling since I was 12. I also did what I could to keep my mum alive. As my siblings got older and we all left home I stayed with my nan for a while caring for her now I am a parent. My son has just started going through an asd assessment to work out if he has asperger's or high functioning autism. Drs are positive he has one of them. But I didn't think of myself as being a carer back then and I still don't now, I just think of myself as a parent of a child with disabilities.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

Faith-and-HopeSenior Contributor21 May 2019, 10:37 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Defining your role as a Carer // Tues 21st May, 7pm AEST

Hearing you @Former-Member. Referring to ourselves as carers I think is more about defining our role when we need support. In my situation, by saying that I am a carer for the other four members of the household gets me noticed when I say that things are really wonky at the moment and I need extensions for assignments, or I can’t make class.

I am not just a wife wife and parent. What we are dealing with is beyond that, as it is for you. Accessing financial support also means ticking a carer box on forms.

If you’re not comfortable with the carer title, you can say you’re a parent of a child with disabilities and leave it at that .... ots whatever you are comfortable with.

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