Are you caring for someone with a mental illness?
Date: Friday, February 1st 2013
Categories: All Leicestershire Activities & Events
In partnership with Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL) we’re launching a new free, confidential programme called ‘Mental Health Education Programme for Carers’ designed to help carers safeguard their own health and wellbeing, build on their own strengths, share experiences and gain useful information about looking after someone with a mental illness – helping you to grow and make positive changes in your caring role.
The programme is open to anyone who cares for someone with a mental illness living in Leicestershire.
Mental illness can affect anyone at any age and has a huge impact on family members. Remember, 1 in 4 people will experience mental health difficulties at some point in their life, and mental illness is predicted by the World Health Organisation to be the biggest health problem, after heart disease, by 2020.
Maybe you don’t see yourself as a carer? If you’re supporting, and your life is affected by, someone with a mental illness then you’re a carer and you deserve help and support, whether you’re a family member, friend or partner.
You don’t have to live in the same house as the person you care for to attend the programme.
More about the programme
You can attend the programme during the day or in the evening, whichever is easier for you. It includes 8 sessions, with each session lasting for 2 ½ hours with a short break for tea/coffee. You’ll have the opportunity to meet the facilitator before the start of the programme, so you know who’s running the sessions. If you miss a session for any reason, you’ll be able to catch up.
The sessions:
Exploring what it means to be a carer
Understanding mental health and mental illness
Understanding recovery and relapse management
Exploring the impact of mental illness on the carer and family
Understanding and coping with challenging behaviour and crisis
Looking after your own mental, physical and emotional health
Treatment resources
Understanding self harm
How will you benefit?
Meet other carers supporting someone with a mental illness
Share experiences
Don’t feel so isolated
Develop coping strategies
Feel empowered to make positive choices
Improve your confidence and wellbeing
Increase your understanding of mental health/illness
Explore new communication skills
Access a network of support
Have a safe place to talk with others who understand what you are going through.
To find out more about the programme please call Nicky Daly, Carers’ Mental Health Support & Educational Officer on 01858 432014 or email [email protected]
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