Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
The ‘hidden’ helpers
Dundee Mental Health Cairn Fowk offers assistance to those who look after people with mental health issues.
Cathy Hamilton MBE, who chairs the group, says she wants to encourage more people to seek help.
It comes in the wake of several highprofile cases in the city of people struggling with their mental health. Many of them have featured in the Tele — and some have had tragic outcomes.
Ms Hamilton said that carers can “often feel alone and isolated” and wants to build on the 60 members the group already has.
“We believe that is the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “I think there are many more carers of the mentally ill in Dundee who remain hidden.
“We would like to reach out to them and get them involved.
“While we have regular drop-in
“They can even feel they are no longer able to look after their loved one and can end up ill themselves.”
Mary Stevenson, from Mid Craigie, who receives support from the group, said that joining Cairn Fowk had “saved her life”.
She said: “I was becoming very depressed looking after a loved one who has mental health problems.
“It was making me ill as well and I felt I had nowhere to turn.
“By coming to the group I have received a lot of support.
“When you care for someone with mental illness you can often feel that you are the only who is going through these issues.
“You sometimes can’t accept what’s happening to you and you don’t know how to continue.
“By joining our group people will get the support they need.”
Cathy said that anyone who was interested in the group could email info@dmhcairnfowk.org or phone 07704 514103. Our
A DUNDEE group which supports carers of people with mental health issues is aiming to reach out to more locals than ever before.