One-in-four people will experience mental illness in any given year however, for over 56,400 Cumbrians the chances of experiencing these issues may increase.
Time to Talk Day 2022 (3 February) is a campaign run across the UK by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness in England, in partnership with the Co-op. The day is all about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health.
Craig Backhouse, CEO of Furness Carers said: “In Cumbria, there are more than 56,400 people providing unpaid care to loved ones in their homes. A recent survey by Carers UK, Caring Behind Closed Doors, shows more than half (58 pre cent) of Carers have seen their physical health impacted by caring through the pandemic, while 64 pre cent said their mental health has worsened.”
Cumbria Intelligence Observatory statistics, provided by Cumbria County Council show a higher percentage of people in Cumbria are unpaid Carers than the average in England. In Cumbria 7.2 per cent of the population are providing unpaid care for someone up to 19 hours per week compared to the national average of 6.5 per cent, and 2.7 per cent are providing more than 50 hours per week compared to the national average of 2.4 per cent.
Debi Marsden, CEO of Carer Support South Lakes said: “Many people in our county are providing daily care, without a break, and struggling financially because they are unable to work full time. This is putting greater pressure on people, which is having a real, negative impact on their mental health.
“In the South Lakes, we have just launched our ‘Give our carers a break’ campaign. Based on the idea of just that – giving unpaid Carers a break with something even as simple as fluffy towels for after a long soak in the bath, craft materials, or an overnight stay in a hotel with uninterrupted sleep.”
Dani Leslie, CEO of Carer Support Eden said: “We all have mental health, by talking about it we can support ourselves and others. Across Cumbria, Carer Support Cumbria organisations are here to provide this support to unpaid Carers. We have an online service for those who cannot leave their homes, as well as many different social groups across Cumbria.
“During the pandemic, we were unable to provide the free sitting services, which enable unpaid Carers to leave their loved ones with volunteer sitters to give them a break. However, we are now able to offer these services again. And our hub meetings are an opportunity for people to talk to other unpaid Carers.”
In Eden, monthly hub meetings, where unpaid Carers can come along for a cup of tea and a chat are held in cafes and hotels in Penrith, Kirkby Stephen Appleby and Alston.
Angela Longrigg, CEO of West Cumbria Carers said: “Having an opportunity to have a break from caring and meet up with people who understand your situation makes a big difference. It is good to talk. We are planning our events for 2022, and encourage people to get in touch to access the support available to unpaid Carers in our community.
“Talking about mental health reduces stigma, helping to create supportive communities where we can talk openly about mental health and feel empowered to seek help when we need it.”
Recent research by the charity MIND shows how important open conversations in communities are to support everyone’s mental wellbeing.
Time to Talk Day was launched in 2014 by Time to Change, a campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination, which was run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.
You can contact your local Carer organisation by emailing or calling their office:
- Carer Support South Lakes, Email: admin@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk Tel: 01539 815970
- Carlisle Carers Email: admin@carlislecarers.co.uk Tel: 01228 542156
- Carer Support Eden Email: enquiries@edencarers.co.uk Tel: 01768 890280
- Furness Carers Email: admin@furnesscarers.co.uk Tel: 01229 822822
- West Cumbria Carers Email: general@westcumbriacarers.co.uk, Tel 01900 821976
