DIFFICULTIES & STRESSES WITH CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS

When someone has mental health problems supporting them can be a painful and difficult experience. Help, information and support for you is vital during this time.

The carer needs most of all to feel acknowledgement for the role they fill, that it is important and can be difficult. One should not be expected to fill this role alone. Caring for someone with mental health problems can be emotionally demanding and upsetting especially when you see the person you care for is suffering.

At times you may feel frustrated that they are not being offered enough help from services. A particular area of concern can be when the person you are supporting does not agree that they need help, yet they behave in a way that may cause problems to themselves and you.

What Carers of Barking & Dagenham offer you as a carer?

• Home visits and telephone contact for your emotional support needs.
• Specialised support groups - daytime & evening, giving an opportunity to share views and experiences with other carers
• Information - on a variety of conditions, medication and how to access practical support services.
• Regular newsletter.
• Range of information leaflets.

Looking after yourself

Taking care of yourself is vitally important, here are some tips that may help:

1. Involve as many people as possible. This could help with hospital visiting, plus being able to discuss the situation with others who are fully informed of how things are, can be most helpful and supportive.
2. Don't feel selfish if you need time out away from the situation - we all need our own space. This often leads to feeling refreshed and more able to cope once back in the caring role. Your GP, CPN, or Social Worker may be able to help with arrangements if you have an opportunity to take a break away from home.
3. Take advantage of relaxation opportunities, however rare! Whether they be in the form of classes or just doing something you enjoy when you get the chance.
4. Try to find someone to talk to who may understand your situation, to express how you feel as a carer - to talk about your feelings doesn't always change things, but can make us feel lighter.
5. To continue to carry on your role as a carer your own health is very important. Eat well and regularly, not forgetting the odd treat now and then! Try to rest and sleep well as and when you can - although this is sometimes easier said than done! When possible take yourself out and treat yourself to something special - you deserve it!
6. Lastly be kind to yourself. Focus on what you have achieved no matter how small it may seem. Each day can be an achievement when you are supporting and caring for someone - give yourself the occasional pat on the back!

The Mental Health Act 1983

There are occasions when someone maybe detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. At this stage an approved social worker and psychiatrist would be involved in this process. There are many sections within the Act, for details on specific sections please feel free to contact the Mental Health Project worker at Carers.
It could mean it is felt someone needs hospitalisation for possibly any of the following reasons:

For an assessment
In the interest of their safety or others
For medical treatment
To alleviate or prevent deterioration of their condition

When a person you are supporting is detained under a section this can be a very confusing and worrying time for you.

Most commonly asked questions include:

• What does the particular section mean that they have been detained under?
• How long will they be kept in hospital?
• What sort of treatment will they receive?
• Will I be able to visit them whilst they are there?
• What kind of help and support will they receive once they are discharged?
• What kind of support can I expect as a carer once they are discharged?
• Will they be able to go out whilst in hospital for short periods, once their condition has stabilised?
• Where as a carer can I receive support and someone to talk to about my own feelings?
• How do I challenge a decision made under the MH Act?

There are various agencies and professionals you can take your questions to, for example:

Who are they?

Questions you may have to do with hospitalisation could be answered by hospital staff i.e. the nurse on the ward, a social worker or C.P.N via the Community Mental Health Team/ Psychiatrist.

Support, information and advocacy plus support groups are available through Carers of Barking & Dagenham.

A carer can request a separate assessment in their own right, this can be obtained through the Community Mental Health Team. Although each case is individual it is possible for the carer to be involved in the Care Plan this can be invaluable.

Also, the C.M.H.T may be able to help you access the following:

• Residential respite for the person you are caring for.
• Sitting services.
• Transport and escort service
• Projects and breaks aimed at Young Carers
• Work with families to provide advice, education and information.
  

Community Mental Health Team contact numbers
Dagenham Tel: 020 8276 7870
Barking Tel: 020 8276 7880

Older Peoples Community Mental Health Team
Tel: 020 8276 7888/9

Abbreviations

At times professionals will use abbreviations; this too can be confusing - here are what some of them mean:

And finally…… here are some contacts that maybe able to help you:

Carers of Barking & Dagenham
15 Althorne Way
Dagenham, Essex RM10 7AY
Tel: 020 8593 4422

Community Mental Health Team
Hedgecock Centre
Barking Hospital
Upney Lane
Barking, Essex IG11 7LX
Dagenham Team - Tel: 020 8276 7870
Barking Team - Tel: 020 8276 7880
Older Peoples Team - Tel: 020 8276 7888/9
Out of Hours Number - Tel: 020 8276 7832

Barking & Dagenham Support Team
Rethink
Hedgecock Centre
Barking Hospital
Upney Lane
Barking, Essex IG11 7LX
Tel: 020 8276 7810

HUBB
(Advocacy service for service users)
109 Rose Lane
Marks Gate
Romford, Essex RM6 5NR
Tel: 020 8590 2666

TULIP MENTAL HEALTH GROUP
(Provide Day Care Services for service users)                 TULIP has been asked to convene and co-ordinate a Mental Health Service Users' Committee, that will be a key partner of the Barking & Dagenham Local Implementation Team(LIT).This  will feed into and comment on local strategies and priorities for mental health and will contribute to effective consultation and communication with service users, particularly those from BME communities.  The principal point of contact for this committee at present is Julie Jameson at the William Bellamy Centre.

TULIP MENTAL HEALTH GROUP
William Bellamy Centre
334 Heathway
Dagenham, Essex RM10 8NJ
Tel: 020 8592 3211

TULIP MENTAL HEALTH GROUP
Jesse Dixon Centre
197 Ripple Road
Barking, Essex
Tel: 020 8591 6025

Alcohol Advisory Service
James Cook House
Levett Road
Barking, Essex IG11 9JZ
Tel: 020 8252 0002

Axe Street Project
(For advice & support for people with drug related problems)
Axe Street
Barking, Essex IG11 7LX
Tel: 020 8507 8668

Daybreak Drug Project
St. Lukes Daybreak Centre
Dagenham Road
Dagenham, Essex RM10 7UP
Tel: 020 8595 2010

Health & Information Shop
The Clock House
East Street
Barking, Essex IG11 8EY

Depression Alliance
35 Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7JB
Tel: 020 7633 0557
Out of Hours answer-phone Tel: 020 7633 9929

National Schizophrenia Fellowship
28 Castle Street
Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 1SS
Tel: 020 8547 3937
National Help Line Tel: 020 8974 6814

SANE National Charity
1st Floor, Cityside House
40 Adler Street
London E1 1EE
Tel: 020 7375 1002
SANELINE Tel: 0845 767 8000
(7 days per week 12noon - 2am)