A mental health carer is someone who gives unpaid emotional and practical support to a loved one living with mental illness.  

If you help a friend or family member manage their mental health, you are a mental health carer.

Who is a mental health carer?

A mental health carer is usually a family member or friend who steps in to provide unpaid support for someone facing mental health challenges.

This support can be as simple as listening, or as involved as helping with daily tasks, managing medication, or being there during a crisis.

Carers play a vital role in helping their loved ones stay independent and connected to life.

What do mental health carers do?

• Offer emotional support, such as listening and reassurance
• Help with everyday tasks like shopping, cooking, or managing appointments
• Support during mental health crises
• Encourage independence and self-care
• Work with health and care professionals to make sure their loved one’s needs are met 
  
  

The challenges carers face

Caring for someone with mental illness can be rewarding, but it also brings unique challenges: 

• Managing difficult behaviours or changes in mood
• Coping with stigma and misunderstanding from others
• Balancing caring with work, family, and personal wellbeing
• Facing financial pressures due to caring responsibilities 
  
  

Your rights as a carer

Carers should be involved, listened to, and treated with respect by health and care services. Your knowledge of your loved one’s needs is invaluable. You have the right to specialist support, information about your rights, and help to look after your own wellbeing.

Support for mental health carers

If you support someone with mental illness, you are not alone. There are resources and support available to help you.

Rethink Mental Illness offers advice, information, and local support groups for carers. You can find out more about your rights as a carer and how to look after your own mental health on our carers hub.

You are not alone - Rethink Mental Illness is here to help.