Guides for carers

From respite care to planning for the future, our guides for carers section has many useful guides for people who support a loved one living with mental illness.

Suicide - Coping with loss

This section looks at what support is available when a loved one has died by suicide. It also provides information about investigations that may happen and how to support someone bereaved by suicide. This information is for anyone affected by suicide.

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How you can help guide

Mental health issues are more common than you might think. Every year, one in four of us in the UK is affected by a mental health problem. This guide is designed to help you understand the different conditions and what you can do to help.

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Planning for the future - Your relative's care and support

This section gives information about how to plan future support for the person that you care for. There may be a time when you are no longer able to care for them. This information is for loved ones or carers of adults affected by mental illness in England. It’s also for anyone interested in this subject.

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Does mental illness run in families?

Sometimes there are a few people in a family who have a mental illness. But other times there is only one person. This information looks at whether mental illness runs in families.

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Rethink Trust Corporation

Many carers of people with mental illness worry that when they die, the person they care for might struggle financially. The Rethink Trust Corporation understands the needs of people with mental illness and can give your loved one a secure financial future and peace of mind for you.

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Going into hospital - for carers, friends and relatives

Your relative may need to go into hospital if they are very unwell with a mental health problem. This section has practical information about going into hospital. Every hospital is different, so we can only give an overview of what you both can expect. This information is for carers, friends and relatives of adults affected by mental illness in England. It’s also for anyone interested in this subject.

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Inquests

If your relative dies there may be an inquest into their death. This section explains what an inquest is, what it will be like and your rights during the investigation. It covers every stage from the first investigation to appealing the conclusion of an inquest. The headings will guide you to the information you may need at each stage of the inquest. This section has a lot of information. It may be overwhelming to try and read all of this at once.

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Respite care - Breaks for carers

Respite means that you have a break from caring. This section explains what respite options may be available to you as a carer. This information is for carers of adults affected by mental illness in England. It’s also for anyone else interested in the subject.

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Supporting someone with a mental illness

This section gives tips and suggestions to help you support someone with mental illness. This information is for adults supporting other adults with a mental illness in England.

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Couples who care for an adult who lives with a mental illness - Relationship tips

Caring for a relative who lives with mental illness can be rewarding. But it can be challenging too. And if you are in a relationship, it can have an impact on you and your partner. This information provides some ideas for how you and your partner can support each other and strengthen your relationship. It is for is for couples who care for a relative who is an adult who lives with mental illness in England.

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The Carers Charter

Carers must be involved in the development and monitoring of the framework and standards and hold providers to account. The Carer's Charter was developed by Rethink Mental Illness’ Carers Advisory Board. It outlines the need for the development and implementation of a robust evidence based carers’ framework and standards, mandating all providers of mental health care to proactively involve carers in all settings.

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