Around 1.5 million people care for someone experiencing mental ill health in the UK. Unpaid carers act as our invisible mental health service. From everyday challenges to crisis, they support friends and family members living with mental illness. Despite their essential role, carers still face harsh inequalities in health, education, employment and social care. Now more than ever before.
The theme for Carers Week 2025 is caring about equality and we want to shine a light on our invisible mental health carers and get them the vital support they need. Because it’s everyone’s job to care.
Along with our friends at Carers UK, Age UK, MND, and Carers Trust, our mission is to amplify the experiences mental health carers, share their stories and ensure that they get the support they need.
Join us by sharing our stories online, by visiting our extensive carers hub or by signing up to the Carers Week Virtual Wall.
How you can get involved
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Carers Week Activities
Find out more about what’s happening during Carers Week and how you can get involved in activities taking place around the country.
Ways you can get involved Ways you can get involved -
Carers Week Report 2025
This year, Carers Week is focusing on the theme of Caring About Equality. Read the report to find out more
Read the report Read the report -
Show You Care About Equality
Show you care about equality for carers by adding your name to the Carers Week virtual wall.
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Unpaid Carers Charter
Read our charter developed by Rethink Mental Illness’ Carers Advisory Board. It outlines the need for a carers’ framework and standards to involve carers in all settings related to the individuals they care for each day.
Find our more about the charter Find our more about the charter -
Carers Hub
This section gives advice and information about rights for loved ones and carers and other advice, and how you can get help for someone in crisis.
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The reality of being a carer
“It’s only me that knows the history of his illness”
Stella first heard of Rethink Mental Illness five years ago, when her husband was hospitalised. Accessing our Bristol Carers Service has given her opportunities for respite and peer support.
Read Stella's story Read Stella's story
“Siblings carry a huge weight”
Eleanor has been supporting her sister, who is living with schizophrenia, since 1968. With Rethink Mental Illness, she works as a Siblings Support Group Coordinator, holding a very unique space for other sisters and brothers in similar situations.
Read Eleanor's story Read Eleanor's story
“I didn’t realise for a very long time that I’d been a carer”
Jonathan supported his mother with various mental health conditions since childhood, but only recently realised he was her carer. He now works with our Rethink Companions service, supporting carers to lead fulfilling lives.
Read Jonathan's story Read Jonathan's storyResources for carers
Find your nearest service or group
Our network of groups, services and advice lines are on hand to get you the support you need. Use your postcode to search your area.
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More real stories from carers
“Being open is sometimes all it takes”
Florrie has been supporting her son through treatment resistant schizophrenia for 20 years. With the help of family, friends and peers from a Rethink Mental Illness support group, Florrie is able to cherish the positive moments.
Read Florrie's story Read Florrie's story
“This charity and outreach programme has been a life buoy”
For Carers Week, Noriko shares her difficulty adjusting to life in the UK, especially when her son James became ill. With carers support from Rethink Mental Illness, Noriko feels heard and less alone.
Read Noriko's story Read Noriko's story
"When Christian became ill, it hit me like a ton of bricks"
Georgie, who lives with depression and anxiety, has been supporting her son through schizophrenia for nearly 35 years now. For Carers Week, she shares the impact stigma has had on her son’s life and offers helpful advice for carers in similar circumstances.
Read Georgie's story Read Georgie's story“I had to fight for my mum”
Marianne’s mother has been in a severe depressive episode for the past two years, leading to a coma, major organ failure and admission to a care home. For Carers Week, she shares the impact ageist stigma had on her mum’s treatment and what it’s like to be a carer without external support.
Read Marianne's story Read Marianne's story
“I could see the fun part of Mum slipping away”
Liberty looks back on childhood memories she holds of her mother, who has experienced borderline personality disorder (BPD), paranoid personality disorder (PPD) and cyclothymia (a milder form of bipolar disorder) for most of her life.
Read Liberty's story Read Liberty's story
“No one knows what life’s like as a carer”
For Carers Week, Sharon shares her experience of caring for some of her family members at the same time, one of them being her son who experiences autism and difficulties with his mental health. With the help of Julie from Rethink Mental Illness and a supportive carers group, Sharon has spent the last 20 years keeping her family well.
Read Sharon's story Read Sharon's story“Caring is not for the faint-hearted”
In this blog for Carers Week, Julie shares her experience caring for her son who deals with severe anxiety and agoraphobia. She sheds light on juggling many responsibilities at once, the debilitating nature of mental illness and the value in appreciating the little things.
Read Julie's story Read Julie's story
“The isolation of being a carer is the scariest thing”
For Carers Week, Steve explores his tumultuous journey caring for his wife who has experienced paranoid schizophrenia for 29 years. He brings awareness to the lack of recovery-focused support for acute schizophrenia, the importance of community and how his caring responsibilities deeply impacted his own mental health.
Read Steve's story Read Steve's story
My advice for visiting a loved one in hospital
In 2022, Helen's brother, who experiences schizophrenia, was sadly detained under the Mental Health Act for 12 months. She reflects on her personal experiences, sharing advice to help other carers, particularly siblings, who may be preparing for a hospital visit.
Read Helen's story Read Helen's story