30 September 2009

Caring about carers in the Illawarra

A Carers Forum for those in the community who care for someone with a mental illness is just one of the many events planned to celebrate Mental Health Week (4 – 10 October) across South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Health (SESIH).

Toni Garretty, SESIH Area Family and Carer Program Coordinator, said that the health service recognised that carers who are supported and given appropriate information and education are far better equipped, providing a more positive outcome for the person with a mental illness.

“By supporting carers and providing them with relevant information tailored to their needs, it is possible to achieve improved assessment, treatment and care for people with a mental illness, along with improved coping skills and increased understanding of the mental illness,” Ms Garretty said.

This year’s Mental Health Week theme is: Building Resilience, and is about developing individual strengths and abilities to bounce back from setbacks and challenges.

One strategy for building resilience is to strengthen links with others and the community. People are being encouraged to Sign up, link in, get involved, and to seek out opportunities to join groups or clubs and to participate in local activities.

“The Carers Forum – to be held at the Wollongong Golf Club – will be hosted by the Family and Carer Program team from mental health, and supported by our non-government organisation partners, Carers NSW, Schizophrenia Fellowship NSW National Respite (SFNSW) and Association for Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill (ARAFMI).

“We will provide the audience with mental health resources, education around recognising and reducing stress and information on the importance of self care,” Ms Garretty said.

“While caring for someone with a mental illness can bring many positive experiences, it can also be very challenging, and carers need a range of different supports in fulfilling their role.

“Current statistics show that one in five people will be affected or know someone affected by some form of a mental illness during the course of their life.

“Despite this high prevalence of mental illness in our society, there continues to be a great deal of stigma attached to the condition.

“Celebrations like Mental Health Week allow us to bring the issue into the spotlight, let the community know what services are available for consumers and carers and assist us to identify those in need of early intervention.”

The Carers Forum will be held at Wollongong Golf Club, Corrimal Street, Wollongong on Tuesday 6 October from 10.30am – 3pm. For enquiries call 4220 7900.


Media Enquiries: Maxine Brennan, 9113 2601, 0413 028 776