Support group for carers

A NEW support group has been launched to help carers for mental health patients in Halton.

The Halton Mental Health Carers Support group is open for carers to share information, experiences and issues with those who live in similar situations.

A Halton Borough Council spokesperson said: “If you are from Halton and care for someone with depression, bi-polar, chronic anxiety, psychosis, panic attacks, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, dementia or any other debilitating mental health condition, we have good news for you.

“Our Halton Mental Health Carers Support Group is up and running and here to help you, on the last Wednesday of each month, with a support network of people who know how you feel.

“The HMHCSG meets at the Mencap Acorn Centre, Laburnum Grove, Runcorn, WA7 5EX each month, with organisers looking to start a Widnes group soon.

“It is joint project between Halton Borough Council and Halton Carers’ Centre.

“There is also a Facebook group for those who feel more comfortable chatting online, from the comfort of their own home or on their phone.”

Halton Borough Council’s executive board member for health and wellbeing, Councillor Marie Wright, said: “This new group offers one to one and one to many carer to carer peer support, providing a place to connect in a safe social environment with the ability to share information, lived experiences and caring issues with others who are caring for loved ones with a mental health condition.“

The group holds face to face meetings regularly at the Acorn Centre.

Meanwhile the Facebook group provides an additional medium to connect with others 24 hours a day, seven days a week.