Help for someone you know
If you are caring for someone who is experiencing a mental health issue, it could leave you feeling disempowered, distressed, or simply lost.
You might be surprised to learn how many people are in a similar position. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point during our lives, most of whom have at least one other person in their lives worried about just how they can help them for the best.
Lots of people think that a mental health issue is always severe that can only be “coped” with; that there is no real moving on, but often this isn’t accurate. It is true that for some, a mental health issue is enduring … and severe. We work with many whose mental health issue could be described in this way. But for others, a mental health issue is more temporary. It might reoccur from time to time, but the point is that they cope and move on to recovery.
So how can you get some help for your loved one … and also for yourself?
First of all, see what services we offer for people with mental ill health. Click here.
It’s important to realise that no one else can “make someone better”. While you, and we, can support someone, the bottom line is that it is the person him or herself who makes changes.
Even so, evidence suggests that when carers get involved it can be enormously helpful. If it's possible for them to do so, it can help people move on to recovery, and can make that recovery quicker and more effective. So if the person you are caring for is already using Independence Trust, and if they are happy for it to happen, please come along and get involved in helping. You can contact us to find out how you can do that.
Time for you
Often, a carer is so devoted to looking after the other person that their own needs start to fade into the background. This is not helpful for you, and in the long run doesn’t help the person for whom you are caring.
Independence Trust is not set up as an organisation that looks after carers, but that’s only because there are other organisations that have already proved very effective, so we work in partnership with them.
Carers Gloucestershire are just such an organisation. If your loved one is already visiting our Messenger House office in Gloucester, why not come along and visit us? Carers Gloucestershire’s main office is on the next floor up and we would be happy to walk up with you and make an introduction.