By Stephen Robinson, 09 October 2012
Stress: many carers face phenomenal pressure
Interviews with family members of young people with psychosis have revealed the ‘phenomenal’ stress they face, yet many do not identify themselves as carers to their GP. Researchers said this means many fail to seek help for the trauma associated with their caring role.
Lead author Dr Anna Lavis of the University of Birmingham told GP that carers need to be identified earlier to get the support they need. ‘Listening is probably the key thing we’re thinking about – no complex intervention, nothing expensive,’ she said.
Researchers interviewed 72 carers as part of a continuing five-year project that will run until 2015. These included partners, friends, mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings. Early findings were presented at the Society for Academics in Primary Care conference.
The ’emotional and powerful’ interviews showed the burden associated with caring for a person with psychosis.
The government’s care minister says more must be done to help young adults who look after unwell or disabled relatives.
Norman Lamb was quizzed for Newsbeat by 18-year-old Pippa Haines from Southampton, who’s been a carer since she was four.
The Liberal Democrat said: “You should be open about it [caring], proud of it, and supported in doing it.
“We’ve got to escape from this sense that you feel hidden and neglected.”
Pippa took a list of points to the minister that were raised by young adult carers in Radio 1 Stories: Keeping Mum, broadcast on Radio 1 on 8 October. Rebekah Clark, 21, with disabled older sister Ashleigh
She told him the list “includes more support in schools and colleges”.
‘Incredible burden‘
He replied: “We’ve established a £127m fund which goes to colleges and further education, to support learning. Young carers can apply for that.
Monday, 8 October 2012 06:28 UK
Oritsé says it was hard caring for his mother when he was a teenager
He says it is very different from when he was 11 and his mother’s main carer.
