Carers & Mental Health

Tania Ewin, Senior Project OfficerPartners in Depression

A mental health initiative of…. Program funded by….

1

Today’s session Introductions

Partners in Depression: Program overview

Building awareness Acknowledging the carer experience Purposeful coping Communication skills Self-care

2

What is the Partners in Depression program? 6 x 2 hour weekly group education sessions for people who

support a person with depression (‘carers’, ‘loved ones’, ‘partners’, family or friends)

For groups of between 4 and 12 participants

Aims to address the information and support needs of those who care for a person with depression.

Adult education program for people aged 16 years and over

3

What do we know about “caring” & mental health?

4

beyondblue Research:1. Lack of broader social support

2. Lack of respect or engagement by healthcare providers

3. Importance of support groups or agencies

4. Direct impact of depression on carers

5. Impact of depression on intimate relationships

Source: Highet, McNair, Davenport and Hickie (2004)

5

Research indicates: Families and carers of people with mental health problems

provide assistance and support to the person they care for, and indeed for mental health services, which would otherwise be overwhelmed by the demands placed upon them

However, in order to continue providing optimum care, carers themselves require support and assistanceSource: Hayman (2005)

6

Research indicates:

Caregivers are reluctant to prioritise their own needs alongside or equal to those they care for and almost always presume that their needs do not justify interventionSource: Muscroft & Bowl (2000)

7

Positive aspects of caring Sense of purpose

Strengthened connection with the person you are caring for including communication

Increased knowledge of the illness/diagnosis and the health system

Looking after yourselfEarly warning signs are important.

It is important to recognise what they are: More moody or irritable Just not wanting to see people Sleeping more/less Eating more/less Getting easily tired Giving up on exercise Not wanting to deal with day-to-day things (opening mail,

paying bills etc.) Putting off deadlines Putting off housework/other responsibilities

9

Insight into Caring & Support

The support role

11

Carer Life Course Framework

Purposeful coping Pro-active rather than reactive coping Change in mindset as well as changes in behaviour toward

the person you are caring for Have knowledge and skills to be able to handle old

situations in a different way

12

Purposeful coping

In pairs… Any thoughts or comments about this phase?

What would have to change in your current situation for you to enter this phase? Changes in the person you are caring for Changes in you Changes in the situation you are currently in

Can you see yourself ever in this phase?

13

Communication

Communication without words! In pairs, try to communicate 3 things about yourself

without using words!

Effective communication

Being able to communicate effectively is an important part of any relationship

Improving communication skills can reduce the level of frustration and stress in the family and can facilitate healthy interactions

Caregivers often report worry about the high level of stress in the household and the nature of relationships within the family unitSource: Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria (2003)

16

Four basic communication skills:

1 Levelling

2 Listening

3 Validating

4 ‘I’ statements Source: Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria (2003)

Effective communication

17

1 Levelling

Effective communication can only occur when both parties know all the relevant information (thoughts, feelings and facts)

Levelling involves giving the other person information about your thoughts and feelings, rather than expecting them to read your mind

18

2 Listening

This involves not just hearing but actively processing what others say

It is important to pay attention to what others are saying rather than to what you are going to say next

19

3 Validating

This involves communicating to the other person that you have heard their position or opinion

It is not necessary for you to understand or even agreewith others

It is important to recognise and accept other people’s rights to feel and think as they do

20

4 ‘I’ statements

Begin what you say with ‘I’

By doing this, you take responsibility for your own wants, thoughts and feelings rather than putting the responsibility or blame on the other person

21

Communicating ‘No’

At times it is difficult to say ‘No’ to requests that you do not want to meet

Saying ‘No’ means that you set limits on other people’s demands for your time and energy, when such demands conflict with your needs and desires

22

Communicating ‘No’

Three-step procedure:1 Acknowledge the other person’s request

2 Explain your reason for declining

3 Say ‘No’

Example I know you would like me to give you $20 (acknowledgement), but I have already given you money last week (explanation) and I can’t give you any more now (saying ‘No’).

23

Verbal and non-verbal communication

According to research, in a conversation: Words are 7% effective Tone of voice is 38% effective Non-verbal clues are 55% effective

Non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, eye contact, body posture and movements

What you say is not nearly as important as how you say itSource: Mental Illness Fellowship Victoria, 2003

24

Tips for non-verbal communication Make yourself comfortable with the other person

Be relaxed and attentive

Maintain frequent eye contact

Give simple nods of approval

Keep gestures smooth and unobtrusive

Use an average rate of speech (or a bit slower)

Maintain a clearly audible voice

Avoid using feet and legs as a barrier

Smile when appropriate

Stay alert through long conversations

25

Self-Care

Caring for self: Benefits & Barriers

What are the benefits of caring for yourself ?

What stops you from taking time and looking after yourself ?

Write down your responses.

27

Caring for self: Reasons & Risks

What are the reasons for NOT taking the time to look after yourself ?

What are the risks of NOT taking the time to look after yourself?

Write down your responses.

28

Self-care activities and strategies

Look at the list of self-care strategies

Choose 2 activities to try out this week

Schedule in the day and time (morning, afternoon, evening) when you will try these activities

Note how you feel when thinking about and carrying out these activities

29

www.partnersindepression.com.au

What self-care will you do this week?