LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS: Focusing on Carers. Timothy Broady Carolina Simpson Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference 6-8 July 2016

Transcription

1 LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS: Focusing on Carers Timothy Broady Carolina Simpson Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference 6-8 July 2016

2 CARERS NSW The peak non-government organisation for people in New South Wales (NSW) who provide informal care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, drug or alcohol dependency, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail. Our vision is an Australia that values and supports all carers. Our goals are to: Work with carers to improve their health, wellbeing, resilience and financial security Have caring recognised as a shared responsibility of family, community and government

3 OUTLINE 1. Overview of mental health carers 2. Carer Survey 2016 findings on mental health carers 3. Supporting carers through Mental Health Respite: Carer Support 4. Future opportunities to support mental health carers

4 Overview of carers

5 CARERS IN AUSTRALIA 2.86 million carers in Australia 12% of population 825,000 primary carers The primary carer is the person recognised as providing the most care. (Deloitte Access Economics 2015)

6 MENTAL HEALTH CARERS Regardless of how family is defined their contribution to the lives of people with a mental health condition cannot be underestimated. National Mental Health Commission 2012

7 IMPACT OF CARE Caring impacts health & wellbeing, relationships & social connectedness, work, education & finances. Australian Unity Wellbeing Index Survey: carers have the lowest collective wellbeing of any known population group. (Cummins et. Al. 2007)

8 IMPACT OF CARE 71% of mental health carers reported a deterioration in their health in the previous 12 months as a direct result of caring for someone with a mental illness 90% of mental health carers experienced stigma (n= 431) (Mental Health Council of Australia 2012)

9 Carers NSW 2016 Carer Survey

10 CARERS NSW CARER SURVEY Collects information about carers in NSW to inform advocacy Core sections: Carer demographics About the person(s) you care for Service access and social support Employment Health and wellbeing

11 2016 CARER SURVEY Demographics Gender Female Male Age < Hours of care per week Cultural background Over 40 Varies a lot CALD ATSI Mental health (n=347) 82% 18% 19% 57% 25% 47% 10% 17% 4% Other (n=1134) 81% 19% 16% 48% 36% 61% 3% 18% 3%

12 2016 CARER SURVEY Mental health (n=347) Other (n=1134) Carer illness/disability 37% 31% Employed 42% 34% Years caring % 42% 35% 25% 37% 36%

13 MEASURES Social Support Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Health and wellbeing Personal Wellbeing Index Positive Aspects of Caregiving K10

14 %SM SOCIAL SUPPORT Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Support MSPSS Significant Other Family Friends Mental Health Other

15 %SM HEALTH AND WELLBEING Personal Wellbeing Index Mental Health Other

16 %SM HEALTH AND WELLBEING Positive Aspects of Caregiving PAC Self-Affirmation Outlook on Life Mental Health Other

17 % HEALTH AND WELLBEING K10- Kessler Scale of Psychological Distress Low Moderate High Very high Mental Health Other ABS (2012)

18 Supporting carers

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20 Mental Health Respite: Carer Support (MHR:CS) Flexible, innovative carer support services to carers of people with a mental illness Carers NSW delivers MHR:CS in South East Sydney and Hunter regions Carers NSW 2015 Evaluation surveyed 99 carers who had accessed MHR:CS

21 EVALUATION Extent of overall improvement in caring role as a result of the MHR:CS program No improvement Slight improvement Significant improvement

22 EVALUATION 98% felt MHR:CS activities were relevant to their individual needs 81% felt more valued and recognised as carers as a result of the MHR:CS program 72% learned strategies that help them manage the impact of the mental illness (Carers NSW 2015)

23 EVALUATION 76% better able to manage in their caring role 56% felt less stress than before they engaged with MHR:CS (Carers NSW 2015)

24 Opportunities

25 POLICY AND PROGRAMS Targeted support for mental health carers Maintaining current support in times of national reform o MHR:CS is in scope for NDIS BUT o NDIS does not deliver services to carers in their own right

26 RESEARCH Further analysis of 2016 Carer Survey Results: full report due in Carers Week (16-22 October) Build evidence base on improving wellbeing outcomes for carers Evaluation of mental health services: carer outcomes

27 Timothy Broady Senior Research Officer Carolina Simpson Policy and Development Officer P: (02) E: