Mental Health Carers
Support for Carers affected by mental illness
You might be a parent, a partner, a sibling, an adult child or a friend. You might not use the word Carer at all. If you support someone with lived experience of mental ill health or distress, whether that means being there in a crisis, managing medication and appointments, holding a household together, or simply being the person who always answers the phone, Carers SA has supports through Carer Gateway to assist you. Carers SA is also here for you if your own mental health is suffering as a result of your caring role.
If you need help now
Carer Gateway is not a crisis service.
Carer Gateway is not a crisis service. If you or the person you support is in immediate danger, call 000. For urgent mental health support in South Australia, the Mental Health Triage Service is available 24 hours a day on 13 14 65.
Lifeline is available 24 hours a day on 13 11 14
You do not have to be caring every day
There is no minimum amount of care required
Your caring role may change a great deal over time. There may be periods where the person you support is well, and other times where everything falls to you. Some Carers are unsure if they are still eligible for support if their caring does not look like full-time care.
This is not the case. There is no minimum amount of care required. You can access Carer Gateway if your caring is occasional, unpredictable or shared with others. You do not need to live with the person you support. You do not need a letter from a GP, any paperwork or a referral to prove you are a Carer. You do not need to be receiving a Carer Payment or Carer Allowance as proof you are a Carer.
What is Available
Counselling, coaching, peer support and respite, at no cost.
Counselling, coaching, peer support with other Carers, planned and Emergency Respite, in-home support and Tailored Support Packages are all available at no cost through the Carer Gateway.
Counselling may provide an opportunity to discuss things you cannot say to your family or friends. Peer Support provides you with an opportunity to meet other Carers who understand what you are going through.
Register Now for Carer Gateway Services
Other Supports
If you need support with your own mental health beyond your caring role, these services can help:
- Beyond Blue, 1300 22 4636, 24 hours
- 13YARN, 13 92 76, a First Nations crisis line
- SANE runs a free national online forum for families, friends and Carers, moderated and available at any time of day or night.
Skylight Mental Health
Forty years supporting South Australians and the people around them.
Skylight Mental Health has supported South Australians experiencing mental health challenges, along with their families and Carers, for more than 40 years. Through our partnership, Skylight delivers Carer Gateway counselling, coaching and peer groups by phone, online or in person at its offices, for Carers supporting someone with a mental health condition and for Carers whose own mental health has been affected by caring. Skylight also supports South Australians living with mental illness through its own services, whether or not they are in a caring role.