Looking After Yourself

Depression and Anxiety
Stress / Relaxation
Isolation and Loneliness
Facing Issues of Loss and Grief
Feeling Angry
Sleeping Problems
Self-Esteem and Confidence
Young Carers Taking Time Out

www.youngcarers.net.au/yc-info-intro

Young Carers Have a right to Expect

Important Phone Numbers

All Age Carer Support Contact Numbers

Young Carers Health and Well-being Young people helping to provide home based care for a family member or friend can find the experience very satisfying and rewarding. Young Carers discover that the carer role gives them the opportunity to develop specific knowledge and skills that are very helpful in life. Participation in providing care for a loved one can result in close family bonding and the forming of very special family ties. A large number of young Carers say that they would not want life to be different, because the person they care for is a very special person. Young Carers feel they would not be who they are today, if it was not for the person they care for and special things that that person brings to their lives.

For other young Carers the caring experience can be a difficult one. Young Carers can find themselves in different family situations undertaking different tasks and responsibilities. Whilst some young people have the close ties of family and feel supported and assisted in their carer role, others find themselves in situations where they do not have the support and assistance of a wider family, friends, neighbours or the community. Young Carers who do not have anyone to assist and support them often feel alone and isolated, depressed, anxious, stressed, have problems sleeping and experience problems at school.

If you would like to share your story of being a young Carer and have it posted on the Young Carers webpage. click here

For some helpful information on these and other topics relating to young Carers emotional well-being browse through the following. Top

Depression and Anxiety

Depression is when you feel sad and feel really down most of the time. It is more than just having a bad day now and then. Young people who have the added responsibilities of being a Carer can feel very alone and isolated and experience depression. It is important that you take care of yourself. To get more information about depression and anxiety you can go to the following websites:

www.reachout.com.au
go to the issues box and select depression and other mental illness.

www.headroom.net.au
Headroom provides information on mental health issues for young people, children, adolescents, teachers, professionals and parents based in Adelaide.

www.howstat.com/comic
Children of Mentally ill Consumers(COMIC) .has a range of books and videos that are useful resources to understanding and living with mental illness. Top

Stress / Relaxation

Managing the added responsibilities and tasks of being a Carer can be very stressful for Carers of all ages. Juggling home life and the demands of the carer role, as well as school, is typical of all young Carers. Everyone experiences stress at some time in their lives. A moderate level of stress is very useful because it helps a person to do the things they want to do, to achieve their goals and to be actively involved. Too much stress can cause serious physical and mental health problems. Stress can be associated with both happy and sad times. It is possible to learn some useful techniques for keeping your stress at manageable level.

For helpful information on
What is stress?
What causes stress?
What stress can do to you if it goes on too long?

go to
www.cyh.com
see also
www.pressurepoint.com.au Top

Isolation and Loneliness

Young people who have the responsibility for providing care for a family member can often feel very alone and isolated. It can be difficult to get out and go places like other young people. Meeting other young people and forming friendships is important to staying emotionally healthy.

For young Carers living in rural and remote areas of South Australia, isolation and loneliness can be a real challenge. Use this website to get connected and stay connected to young Carers across South Australia - to post your story on this website click here

Getting connected to young Carer camps and social and recreation events is a good way to meet other young people like yourself. For information about young Carer camps and events give the Carer Advisory Service a call on 1800242 636 (free call).

If you do not have anyone in your family who can assist you with taking time out from your Carer role so you can get out and meet with friends, call the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre on 1800 059 059 (free call) for information about what Respite (Time Out) options are available to you.

For more information and help on isolation and loneliness go to www.cyh.com Top

Facing Issues of Loss and Grief

• Feeling like you can't have a real parent/child relationship with your Mum and Dad because you have to do things for them that kids don't usually do for their parents - you feel like you have to be always responsible and 'grown up' and take care of 'grown up' stuff...
• Not being able to have a full on active relationship with your brother and / or sister because of their illness or disability - you feel sad because you know they will never walk or talk or be able to do the things you can do...
• Not being able to experience family holidays and family outings, or have friends come around to your house like other kids do because of the special needs of the person you care for...
• Thinking that you may not be able to finish school because of the demands of being a Carer has you worried and stressed and unable to complete your subject requirements, knowing that there is no one else that can do the carer role...
• When you think you might not be able to realise the dreams of the job/career you would really love to have

These feelings are also about grief and loss.
Other useful information can be found at www.cyh.com and www.depnet.com.au Top

Feeling Angry

Young Carers tell us they feel angry about many things relating to their Carer role. Young Carers may feel angry that they are not recognised and helped as Carers; they may feel angry when they discover there are services and information out there that they didn't know about; they may feel angry when school communities do not understand the demands that come upon them as Carers. If you are feeling angry about any of these things or other issues relating to your Carer role and you think it would help to let others know about your situation and that you need help, call Carer Advisory Service on 1800242 636 and talk to an Information Officer.

Sleeping Problems

Having somebody in the home with an illness and/or a disability, may mean that you are having to get up several times throughout the night, to assist the person you care for to get to and from the toilet. This can result in you not getting enough sleep. Stress, anxiety and worry can also lead to sleeping problems. Irregular sleep patterns can also be related to depression. If you have been feeling down for a couple of weeks and also been unable to sleep it may be advisable to speak to someone such as a local doctor. For further information go to www.reachout.com.au and www.cyh.com Top

Self-Esteem and Confidence

Kid's Help Line 1800 551 800

Second Story Youth Health Services - Youth Help Line 1300 13 17 19 Top

Young Carers Taking Time Out

As a young Carer you will possibly need someone else's help so you can get out to play sport or go to the movies or do some shopping or have the space to do your homework or go and see your friends, or go to a party or play cricket in the park. Taking Time Out from your Carer tasks and responsibilities is very very important in order for you to stay 'on top of things'; that is, for you to stay feeling well and healthy and enjoying life.

What if you don't know anyone who can help you to take regular Time Out breaks? Have you ever heard of the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre?

The Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre can provide you with information about how you, as a young Carer, can get Time Out or Respite as it is often called.

Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre can

• Tell you who you can talk to in your local area about taking Time Out from your carer role.
• Offer you assistance to work out what best suits your Time Out needs and help you to make the arrangements so you can have a break.

For more information call the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre on 1800 059 059 .
Or call the
Carer Advisory Service on 1800 242 636 for information, referrals, support, counselling & resources. Top

Young Carers Have a right to Expect

Articles particularly relevant to young Carers include a child's right to:

• Be protected without discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, religion, origin or disability of both the child or parent(s) (Article 2).
• Be a primary consideration in any legal or administrative decision affecting the child (Article 3).
• Not be separated from their parents unless it is in the best interests of the child (Article 9).
• Have their wishes taken into account considering their age and maturity (Article 12).
• Privacy (Article 16).
• Appropriate information especially that which will protect their well-being and physical and mental health (Article 17).
• The highest attainable standards of health (Article 24).
• Benefit from social security, taking into account the circumstances and resources of the child and family (Article 26).
• An adequate standard of living (Article 27).
• Education (Article 28).
• Rest, leisure, play and recreation (Article 31).
• To be protected from engaging in work that constitutes a threat to their health, education or development (Article 32).

International researchers have identified what Young Carers should be able to expect (Aldridge and Becker).They should be:

• Able to choose to be children, carers or both.
• Recognised and treated separately from the person needing care.
• Heard, listened to and believed.
• Accorded respect.
• Able to receive respite and other health, social and practical support specific to their needs.
• Protected from physical and psychological harm (including protection from injury caused by lifting).
• Offered access to trained individuals and agencies who can provide information, advice and support.
• Able to access independent and confidential representation and advocacy.
• Assessed fully, in terms of their needs, strengths, weaknesses and racial, cultural and religious preferences.
• Able to appeal and complain.
• Able to choose to stop caring. Top

Important Phone Numbers

Crisis Care
Telephone: 131611 (after hours)

Kids Help Line
Telephone: 1800 55 1800 (free call)

Life Line
Telephone: 13 1114

Second Story Youth Health Services - Youth Help Line
Telephone: 1300 13 17 19 Top

All Age Carer Support Contact Numbers
(All Toll Free Numbers)

Carers Association of SA
Telephone: 1800 815 549

The Carers Association is the peak body representing all Carers in South Australia

• The Carers Association of SA has made a commitment to young Carers as one of its major policy priorities.

Carer Advisory Service
Telephone: 1800 242 636
The Carer Advisory Service provides Carers with tailored information on a range of topics, referrals, support, counselling and resources.

Commonwealth Respite Centre
Telephone: 1800 059 059
The Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre assists Carers to have easy access to flexible, responsive, innovative and quality respite services.

Commonwealth Carelink Centres
Telephone: 1800 052 222
Commonwealth Carelink Centres can provide you with information about the range of services available in your local area and how to contact these services and whether there is any costs associated with receiving the services.

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