LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS: Focusing on Carers Timothy Broady Carolina Simpson Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference 6-8 July 2016
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
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
Overview of carers
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)
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
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)
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)
Carers NSW 2016 Carer Survey
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
2016 CARER SURVEY Demographics Gender Female Male Age < 45 45-64 65+ 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%
2016 CARER SURVEY Mental health (n=347) Other (n=1134) Carer illness/disability 37% 31% Employed 42% 34% Years caring 0-5 6-15 16+ 22% 42% 35% 25% 37% 36%
MEASURES Social Support Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Health and wellbeing Personal Wellbeing Index Positive Aspects of Caregiving K10
%SM SOCIAL SUPPORT Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Support 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 MSPSS Significant Other Family Friends Mental Health Other
%SM HEALTH AND WELLBEING Personal Wellbeing Index 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Mental Health Other
%SM HEALTH AND WELLBEING Positive Aspects of Caregiving 60 58 56 54 52 50 48 46 PAC Self-Affirmation Outlook on Life Mental Health Other
% HEALTH AND WELLBEING K10- Kessler Scale of Psychological Distress 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Low Moderate High Very high Mental Health Other ABS (2012)
Supporting carers
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
EVALUATION Extent of overall improvement in caring role as a result of the MHR:CS program No improvement Slight improvement Significant improvement
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)
EVALUATION 76% better able to manage in their caring role 56% felt less stress than before they engaged with MHR:CS (Carers NSW 2015)
Opportunities
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
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
Timothy Broady Senior Research Officer Carolina Simpson Policy and Development Officer P: (02) 9280 4744 E: timb@carersnsw.org.au carolinas@carersnsw.org.au www.carersnsw.org.au