Carers’ Week (8-14 June) is a yearly campaign that aims to highlight the challenges faced by carers, and recognise the outstanding contribution that unpaid carers make to their families, friends and communities up and down the UK.

Below is some information from national Mind, which you may find helpful.

Your mental health as a carer

It can help to understand common challenges that many unpaid carers encounter, as this might make you feel less alone. Some feelings you might experience while caring for someone, and how these can impact your mental health, are listed below.

Positive experiences of caring for someone

It can be a very positive and rewarding experience to know you are helping someone else.

Some carers feel they’ve learnt more about their own strengths, or have helped others understand their condition, problem or disability. You might feel a sense of satisfaction from making a real difference to the life of the person you care for.

Through your experience of supporting someone else, you may feel:

• More confident in dealing with other people
• More understanding of others with problems
• Closer to friends and family.

Difficult feelings and your mental health

Supporting someone else can affect your mental health and make it harder to stay well. Although you may truly want to care for them, you may also find it difficult and upsetting.

When caring for someone else, you might experience challenges and difficult feelings, such as:

• Stress and worry
• Anxiety

• Isolation and loneliness
• Less time for yourself

• Money worries
• Lack of sleep
• Guilt, frustration and anger

• Low self-esteem
• Depression

How to look after yourself as a carer

When you spend a lot of your time focusing on someone else, you may feel as if you have no time for yourself. But looking after your own wellbeing is important for you and for them.

Here are some self-care ideas that others have said they find helpful. Even trying one small thing might help you feel more able to cope.

• Share how you feel
• Try to be realistic
• Find ways to stay organised
• Support their independence
• Find positives in your relationship
• Take a break and make time for yourself
• Look after your physical health

For more information, self-care tips and details of where to find support as a carer, please click below.