Carers urged to seek help over mental health worry
AMENTAL health crisis centre is appealing to unpaid carers to look after their own mental health this Carers Week.
Safe haven Open Door says that according to Department of Health figures, almost three quarters of carers have poor physical or mental health themselves - and that the Covid-19 pandemic has put family carers under even greater levels of strain.
In Stockport alone, there are an estimated 30,000 people caring for a loved one.
Liz Butler is peripatetic service manager for the charity Making Space, which provides support at Open Door.
She said: “Our message this Carers Week is that if carers don’t look after their own mental health, then the people they care for will ultimately suffer.
“We understand how many carers spend their lives juggling responsibilities and can end up putting their own needs last. But this is not in their interest and neither does it help the person they care for.
“If you are feeling, anxious, stressed, weepy, angry or low, these can be signs that your mental health is under strain. You do not have to be at crisis point before you ask for help.
“In fact the sooner you start receiving support, the more likely it is you will quickly start feeling like yourself again. Open Door is a new service for Stockport and currently waiting times are very short. We can offer telephone-based appointments with counsellors ten hours a day, seven days a week.”
A physical Open Door safe haven was due to launch at a location near Stepping Hill Hospital on April 1, but due to social distancing guidance is currently offering an interim telephone-based service.
Regular weekly mental health support can be offered to carers, and other Stockport residents aged 18+, without a GP referral.
The service is not suitable for anyone requiring urgent medical treatment or someone who is acutely unwell and is not a replacement for specialist crisis services.
Open Door was commissioned by Stockport CCG after extensive review and research of the current population needs.
The CCG’s Mental Health Investment Plan identified access and crisis as key themes and approved additional investment to develop the new mental health crisis pathway.
The Open Door helpline is operated by Mental Health Matters and follow-up support is provided by Making Space.
The Open Door 24/7 helpline can be reached on 0800 138 7276 or by emailing opendoorstockport@makingspace.co.uk