Support for mental health carers

If you provide unpaid care and support to someone who is living with or recovering from mental health issues, you may be called a carer or a personal support person. You may be that person’s:

  • parent
  • partner
  • child
  • sibling
  • grandparent
  • other relative
  • friend.

The term 'personal support person' as used on this page includes family members and carers.

How much support you provide, and whether it is for a brief period of recovery or a longer time, will depend on severity of their mental health issues.

Across our mental health services at Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group, we know that caring for someone with mental health issues and understanding their journey can be challenging and rewarding.

We acknowledge the enormous contributions you are making to their wellbeing and recognise actively partnering with you helps ensure the best possible care is delivered.

We also want you to feel empowered, supported and adequately skilled to provide this care.

Recovery can be defined as creating and living a meaningful life in a community of choice, with or without the presence of mental health issues.

Whatever journey is taken, it is important to remember people can, and do, recover from mental health issues.

Each person’s recovery journey is unique. Some people move progressively along their journey from mental ill health to wellness, while most move forward but then take a step back. These steps back can still be a part of recovery journey. 

At times the person, their life, and their relationship with you may change as part of their recovery. It is important to be willing to adapt in ways that may help them meet their goals, recognising that change can be hard.

It is important you are aware of and understand your rights.

The Carers Recognition Act 2004 (external site) and Western Australian Carers Charter detail how carers are to be treated and involved in decision-making processes for their loved one's treatment and care planning.

Research shows treatment works best when consumers, carers and staff share their knowledge of what is happening and are aware of what is being done to help.

Confidentiality means the service keep personal information private and only shares information with the consumer's consent. Information is only shared without their consent if not doing so places someone at risk.

Durin their care with our service, we will ask if they consent to you being involved in their care. The consumer may choose to:

  • share some information
  • share information with certain people
  • not share information at all.

This is their legal right, and we will respect their wishes.

Consent to sharing information

This enables us to seek your opinions and observations when making treatment decisions with the consumer. You will be encouraged to work in partnership with our mental health staff, however you have the right to say no if you do not wish to be involved.

Set times will be made for you to meet staff. Contact by telephone is also welcome. When a meeting takes place, the content of the discussion will be documented in the consumer’s medical record.

If information sharing is declined by the consumer

We can still support you as a carer, even if the consumer chooses not to share their information with you.

Caring for someone with a mental illness may be difficult at times, and you may feel a range of emotions.

It is important you ensure your own physical, social and emotional needs are met so you can manage in times of extreme stress, as well as over the longer term.

Being a support person can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Remember to recognise your own limitations and to take breaks to recharge if possible. Taking a break can seem impossible when you feel overwhelmed, however every break is valuable, no matter how small.

You may also need support to develop practical and emotional skills to ensure you maintain your own wellbeing.

Information brochures for family, friends and consumers can be provided by both in the inpatient team and /or the Community Treatment Teams.

A good starting point is encouraging the consumer to see a general practitioner (GP). If that is not possible, contact your nearest mental health service and ask for guidance.

In a mental health emergency, please go to the nearest emergency department.

You may need to call 000 (triple zero) if you need the assistance of emergency services to help your loved one get safely to the emergency department.

More information

Last Updated: 14/02/2024