World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2021, aims to raise awareness of mental wellbeing – and Cumbria’s Carer organisations are highlighting the impact of unpaid Caring on people’s mental wellbeing and the support available.
The goal of World Mental Health Day is to help raise mental health awareness. In Cumbria, over 56,400 people are juggling unpaid Caring for a loved one with their work and other personal commitments.
Dani Leslie, Eden Carers CEO said: “In the 2011 census 56,495 individuals in Cumbria declared themselves as carers – this was an increase of 9 per cent from the previous census in 2001. And as we wait for the results from the Census we all took part in earlier this year, we expect that figure to have risen sharply again.
“Figures from the Cumbria Intelligence Observatory show the majority of people, more than 13,300 are providing care for over 50 hours a week.
“World Mental Health Day is about helping people understand, protect and sustain their mental health. Prevention is at the heart of World Mental Health Day, which is why we are raising awareness of the stresses of being an unpaid Carer and promoting the support and advice available through Carers Support Cumbria’s local organisations.
“The best way to deal with a crisis is to prevent it from happening in the first place., we want to reach out to those who are unpaid Carers to let them know we and other Carer Organisations across Cumbria are here to help.
“If you are a Carer, you are legally entitled to a Carer’s Assessment, which identifies your needs as a Carer. Your local Carers Organisation can do the Assessment with you once you get in touch and then work together to draw up a support plan. The support plan can include things that you feel will help you, such as respite care, information or involving other agencies.”
Craig Backhouse, CEO of Furness Carers said: “Trying to balance the demands of work and caring for a family member or friend can cause extreme stress for the unpaid Carer. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to highlight the support available through our organisations.
“A Carer is someone of any age who cares, unpaid for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or addiction could not manage without their support. And our organisations provide advice and support to the unpaid Carer.”
Mike Seaton, CEO of Carer Support South Lakes said: “Carers Support Cumbria exists to enable support to be delivered to unpaid Carers throughout Cumbria’s six Districts. We support all Carers; young, adult, working, and parent carers.
“Whatever age you are, being an unpaid Carer can be stressful and isolating. We are here to provide a listening ear and practical support”
Sue Munro from Eden Carers and Sue Hogg from West Cumbria Carers, worked with Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust on developing their Carer Champion training.
A Workplace Carers Champion is someone who, through training, is aware of the stresses and strains a working carer may be facing and also has an understanding of our services and how we may be able to support a carer. It is possible that a carer may not actually identify as such in the workplace but through chatting with a Carers Champion feels comfortable enough to talk about their caring responsibilities with them.
Your local Carer Organisation is here to provide the support and services to help all unpaid Carers in Cumbria and help reduce stress.
If you are an unpaid Carer, your local carer’s organisation can provide you with information and support. You can contact them 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
Eden Carers 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
