​Larne woman Deborah McAllister on the mental ill-health ‘endemic’ faced by Northern Ireland's unpaid carers

Deborah McAllister from Larne was diagnosed with over-functioning anxiety, PTSD and compassion fatigue as a direct result of her unpaid caring role

Deborah McAllister from Larne cares for her mum, who has dementia, and her daughter, who has complex needs.

Two-thirds of people, like Deborah, who have provided unpaid care for sick or disabled family members or friends in Northern Ireland have suffered mental ill-health because of their caring role, according to new research published today.

In the YouGov poll, which was commissioned by Carers NI to mark the beginning of this year’s Carers Week, 25 per cent of current or former unpaid carers said that caring for their loved one had had a very negative impact on their mental health, with a further 41 per cent saying it had a slightly negative impact.

Angela Phillips, senior policy officer at Carers NI, said mental ill-health has become endemic among Northern Ireland’s unpaid carers

Campaigners say that mental health challenges have become ‘endemic’ among Northern Ireland’s unpaid carers and called on the Department of Health to fund the regular breaks and other support services carers need to better protect their mental wellbeing.

Deborah said: “I’ve been an unpaid carer for over 15 years and at one time that meant caring for three family members at the same time. I was diagnosed with over-functioning anxiety, PTSD and compassion fatigue as a direct result of my unpaid caring role. I actually had to retire from my career as a nurse because of ill-health. I love my mum and daughter, but caring has taken such a toll. I’m emotionally and physically exhausted all of the time.

“It’s very difficult to ever improve your mental health when you’re caring, because there are never any breaks. I also get no financial support for my caring role and having to live on a little pension only adds to the anxiety. Many of my friends are caring for loved ones and they are all sick too. You’re surrounded by friends with poor mental health. They’re the only people who really understand what it is like.”

There are over 220,000 people currently providing unpaid care for sick or disabled family members and friends in Northern Ireland.

Angela Phillips, senior policy officer at Carers NI, said: “Mental ill-health has become endemic among Northern Ireland’s unpaid carers and that really is no surprise when so many of them are waiting months or years for access to support and the opportunity for a break. Social care and respite provision across Health Trusts is just not meeting demand and the pressure that puts on carers is leaving them mentally worn out and in the grips of anxiety, stress and depression every day. In the worst cases, carers are reporting thoughts about self-harm and suicide, and that should be serving as a screaming wakeup call that the health system isn’t doing enough. This year’s Carers Week needs to be about delivering ring-fenced funding for the breaks and other services carers need to protect their mental health.”

​The poll also found that 44 per cent of current or former carers in Northern Ireland have suffered negative impacts on their physical health. Close to half (47 per cent) said caring had negatively impacted their finances and savings, while 48 per cent said their job and ability to go to work had been negatively affected.

​*If you are in distress or despair contact Lifeline on freephone 0808 808 8000. The Lifeline helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year

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