Caring for someone with a mental health condition

You are a carer if you provide or arrange care for someone else who cannot care for themselves

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You are a carer if you provide or arrange care for someone else who cannot care for themselves

Overview

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Other information

Overview

information

Anyone can become a carer. It doesn’t matter how old you are, your gender or your background. The care you provide could be short or long-term. You may or may not live with the person you are a carer for.

You are a carer if you provide or arrange care for someone else who cannot care for themselves. A carer is not paid for what they do and is different from a paid professional like a care worker or home help.

As a carer you may support:

  • A family member, such as your child, parent, sibling or other relatives
  • Your partner
  • A friend
  • A neighbour

You may provide a range of support, including:

  • Giving emotional support
  • Helping someone cope with a mental health problem
  • Cooking and cleaning
  • Personal care, like washing and going to the toilet
  • Budgeting and looking after finances
  • Giving medicine or providing medical care
  • Interpreting for someone who is deaf or who does not have English as their first language
  • Reading information and filling in forms for someone who has literacy or concentration difficulties.

Last reviewed: March 17, 2023 by Sophie

Next review due: September 17, 2023

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