A carer looks after someone with an illness or disability who can’t take care of themselves.

You may or may not live with the person you care for. You might be a relative, partner, friend or neighbour. You might be a young person but now find yourself in the position of needing to support someone who’s unwell.
Carers are incredibly important and give a lot to society as well as the people they directly care for and support.
If you’re caring for someone with a mental health condition, it can feel like you’re all alone. But we’re here to help you as well as the person you care for. There’s a lot of help available and people who are ready to offer their support.

What you can expect from us

• You should be recognised and listened to as a partner in providing care.
• You should be valued as someone dedicated to helping the person you care for and who knows them well.
• You should be treated with courtesy and respected for your skills (e.g. overseeing their medication).
• You should be able to work with staff who understand the effects of mental illness on yourself and your family.
• You should be able to request an appointment with the consultant psychiatrist or another mental health professional.

Triangle of care – Find out more about our commitment to support carers.

Help in a crisis

If your loved one needs help in a crisis, you can call our 24/7 Helpline (Single Point of Access): 0800 328 4444.
Our trained staff will provide support over the phone and will refer you to our crisis assessment and treatment teams where necessary.
More about help in a crisis