Caring for, living with or loving someone with a disability can bring up many challenges across the life-span. Without support, you can feel like you’re doing it all alone and it can significantly impact your mental and physical health.

Being a carer or family member of someone with a disability can also impact your other relationships, such as those with your partner or friends. Some studies have shown that separation and divorce rates are higher among parents of a child with a disability.

Carers and family members may be interested in reading the following articles:

Online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4624231/
Online: http://www.cerebralpalsy.org/blog/the-unfortunate-reality-of-divorce-in-couples-with-a-child-with-special-needs

Similarly, people who care for someone with a disability often report higher rates of social isolation and smaller support networks. 

It is important that carers know there are numerous supports that they too can access to combat these issues. Research has shown that carers who frequently access respite breaks, counselling support and / or informal supports are less likely to suffer from ‘carer fatigue’, sometimes also called ‘compassion fatigue’.

To learn more:

Online: https://www.sane.org/the-sane-blog/caring-for-others/avoiding-carer-burnout
Online: http://insynccounselling.com.au/carer-fatigue/
Online: https://www.webmd.boots.com/caring/guide/carer-fatigue
Online: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/caregiver-stress-and-burnout.htm

Accessing support from informal supports, such as friends and family, is very important. However, formal supports are also available and you can often access as many places as you like and as often as you need to can help relieve some of the stress.

Discuss your concerns with your General Practitioner (GP). You may be eligible for Medicare subsidised psychology sessions for a variety of mental health concerns. Your GP will create a plan if you are eligible.

Other organisations you may be interested in for support include:

Ability Centre – psychology and social work team offering counselling and support
Online: www.abilitycentre.com.au
Phone: 1300 106 106

Carers WA – online, phone and face-to-face counselling and support for carers of someone with a disability
Online: https://www.carerswa.asn.au/carers-wa-services/counselling/carers-counselling-line/

Crisis Care Line – telephone information and counselling service for people in crisis needing urgent help, free calls 24/7
Phone: (08) 9223 1111, country 1800 199 008

Family Relationship Advice Line – specialises in issues such as family breakdown or separation
Online: www.familyrelationships.gov.au
Phone: 1800 050 321

Mercy Care Family Support Networks and Child Family Centres – service information to support families in the community
Online: https://www.mercycare.com.au/

Kalparrin – Family support centre based at Perth Children’s Hospital
Online: http://kalparrin.org.au/