A Carer’s Guide to Mental Health

Course Summary

• Carers Statistics
• Definition of a Carer
• Carers Assessment
• Understanding mental ill health - major diagnoses, treatments and support services available
• Looking at children as carers of parents with mental health problem
• Strategies to deal with a crisis, including practical advice when dealing with difficult behaviours, and non compliancy with treatment/medication
• The Way Forward - Caring for Carers, focusing on the Recovery approach and WRAP (wellness recovery action plan)

Aims

• To raise awareness of the important role that carers have; highlighting that their needs are as important as those that they are caring for
• To develop an understanding of the common mental health problems, causes treatments and impact of diagnoses on both the individual and those caring for them
• Inclusion in care packages, inc: carers assessments
• Who’s who in mental health? - signposting to other appropriate supportive organisations
• Dealing with a crisis
• Managing difficult behaviour
• Positive Mental Health and wellbeing for the Carer themselves
• Is recovery possible?