Experiences of Mental Health Carers Examined Using a Recovery Framework

Abstract

ABSTRACT Carers are a crucial support in the recovery of people with mental illness in the community. As they are often severely affected by the impact of mental illness of the person they care for, carers need to recover from the impact alongside the care recipient. While mental health services focus on the recovery of people with mental illness, carers’ recovery is largely neglected. Using the CHIME (Connectedness, Hope and optimism about the future, Identity, Meaning in life and Empowerment) recovery framework, the authors of this study aimed to examine carers’ experiences and what they needed in their own recovery. A mixed methods approach was used to analyse the responses of 1,918 carers who completed the Australian 2020 National Carer Survey. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes regarding carers’ experiences against the elements of CHIME. Quantitative findings regarding subjective wellbeing and perception of support were used to complement the themes. Themes aligned with CHIME but indicated poor recovery. Recognition (R) was found to be an important recovery factor for carers. Without adequately addressing the needs and wellbeing of carers and giving due recognition for their contribution, carers have difficulty progressing in their own recovery. CHIME-R may be appropriate as a recovery framework for carers. IMPLICATIONS Caregiving needs and recovery of Australian mental health carers are largely neglected by mental health services and government departments. Recognition of carers should be taken into consideration as an important factor in carers’ recovery. Mental health and social services need to critically consider how they can promote family recovery, rather than focusing on the personal recovery of service users only.