Mental Self Care for the Carer

Many people are carers, from the parents of kids with extra care needs to Kids looking after their parents and loved ones, and age makes no difference. Being cashed up will certainly help find you other options. However, that is not possible for many of us as the government still doesn’t recognise family, spouses, or friends who are providing care in a positive financial way as yet.

So with the sucky bit of information out the way. I have put a few things that are there for us to use when needed any other places, websites, or organisations you know of, please let me know, and I will add them as soon as possible to Knc Assist’s pages without looking after ourselves and those folks you know of who could do with a break. Carers, whether career or family and friends, will break down, and those we love and care for will be in a worse position as we know there is a lack of support staffing and great people who care enough to do something out there.

A great starting point if you are not a paid carer or assistant is the Career Gateway site which you can find here https://www.carergateway.gov.au/ please have a look or phone 1800 422 737 this is great as they have translator service as well and gives you a place to find a provider in your state.

Here is a list of a few things that spring to mind, and please take note that I do not advocate anyone over another and only offer personal opinions or contact details, not trained skilled advice in any way. I have dealt with a couple personally over the years.

· lifeline here is there address and phone Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14 – Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention.  For the younger folks Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 for people aged 5 to 25, they will point you in the right direction and from personal experience taking the first step and saying there is something you don’t like about your situation is very liberating and paves the way for sorting the sheet out.

· There are several organisations that provide support and education for people with mental stress or illness and their families and carers throughout Australia. 

· Some of the main groups are listed below from the Government Health Direct website this is their site link Mental health helplines | healthdirect

· Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call 1300 224 636, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or email.

· Blue Knot Foundation Helpline is the National Centre of Excellence for Complex Trauma. It provides support, education and resources for the families and communities of adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, Monday – Sunday between 9AM – 5PM AEST or via email helpline@blueknot.org.au.

· Butterfly Foundation’s National Helpline is a free, confidential service that provides information, counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Call 1800 334 673, 8AM-midnight AEST / 7 days a week, chat online or email.

· eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 – 25 and their families and friends. Call 1800 650 890, 9AM – 1AM AEST / 7 days a week, chat online or email.

· FriendLine supports anyone who’s feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. You can call them 7 days a week on 1800 424 287, or chat online with one of their trained volunteers. All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous.

· Head to Health gives advice and will connect you to local mental health services. Call 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.

· Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 – 25. Call 1800 551 800.

· Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.

· MensLine Australia is a professional telephone and online counselling service offering support to Australian men. Call 1300 789 978, 24 hours/7 days a week, chat online or organise a video chat.

· MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 614 434.

· QLife provides nationwide telephone and web-based services for lesbian peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Call 1800 184 527, 3PM – 12AM (midnight) AEST/7 days a week.

· PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) supports women, men and families across Australia affected by anxiety and depression during pregnancy and in the first year of parenthood. Call 1300 726 306, 9AM – 7:30PM AEST (Mon-Fri).

· SANE Australia provides support to anyone in Australia affected by complex mental health issues, as well as their friends, family members and health professionals. Call 1800 187 263, 10AM – 10PM AEST (Mon – Fri), or chat online.

· Suicide Call Back Service provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal. Call 1300 659 467.

· Open Arms — Veterans and Families Counselling provides 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, their partners and families. Call 1800 011 046. 

Now, with the pointy end of the stick out of the way, Let us look at options for some respite care. Many businesses are advertising their respite care service search online from Google or Bing, and there are thousands there.

Knc Assist will set up short-term live-in accommodation after Building my business up enough to support it, or I win the lotto, whichever comes first. So, for now, all I can offer personally is my time to assist if I have it, or send me an email, and I may be able to help you find some help. With a few phone calls if you find it overwhelming.