Carers more likely to suffer from depression: report

New research has found that people who care for family members with mental illness suffer higher rates of depression.

New research has found that people who care for family members with mental illness suffer higher rates of depression. The research paper by Carers Western Australia and the Mental Health Carers Issues Network says the health system relies heavily on voluntary carers but does not give them official recognition or support. Carers Western Australia spokeswoman Noreen Fynn says there needs to be more support and training for carers. "The focus, quite naturally, is on the patient, and the focus on the family member initially is ‘just let me deal with this diagnosis’," she said. "They’re not inclined to think of the impact on their own lives and so that comes through later, often when people hit the wall and find their not coping." (Source: ABC Online News, Dec 2003)