Evaluation of Carer Respite Services (2022)
A study evaluating the impact of Mind’s carer respite services during May 2022.
Key outcomes among the 44 carers surveyed included having better communication, decision making skills, and understanding more about the mental health of the person they care for. Carers also reported an increased ability to cope, being supported to access supports for themselves, and knowing more about resources available to them. High levels of service satisfaction among carers was also reported – with a Net Promoter Score of 85.
- Evaluation of Carer Respite Services in May 2022. (PDF 1.4 MB)
Bipolar caregivers project (2016)
A study that clarifies the experiences and needs of informal carers of people with both bipolar and substance use disorders.
In-depth interviews with six informal carers suggest that these carers may experience considerable ongoing distress and objective burden over and above that encountered in acute bipolar depressive/manic episodes. This may be particularly related to the challenge of dealing with substance-use related behaviour that can place additional strain on the carers emotional wellbeing, relationships, career, finances and general quality of life. The study flags the need to better educate health professionals and services to enhance the care and support of people and families affected by these comorbid disorders, and for more research in this area. It suggests that there is a vital need for better services and accessible information for all those affected by bipolar and substance use disorders, and informal carers play a significant but unrecognised supportive role.
- Bipolar caregivers project - research findings (PDF 158 KB)
The economic value of informal mental health caring in Australia (2017)
Informal carers play a significant role in providing ongoing support and assistance to people with mental illness. The aims of this project were to: provide a profile of mental health carers and the types of care provided; estimate the replacement cost of informal mental health care; estimate bed-based service replacement costs; review current government spending on mental health carers and unmet support needs.
The project found that an estimated 240,000 Australians care for an adult with mental illness. Mental health carers provide large amounts of unpaid support, often on a fluctuating basis, and largely focused on emotional support. It would cost $13.2 billion to replace informal mental health care with formal support services, and currently $1.2 billion (conservatively) is spent on mental health carers. Not all mental health carers are accessing support services or feel their needs are being addressed.