Self – Care is Very Important for Carers, Friends and Support Workers

It is very important for carers, friends or support workers to get their own support to safeguard their health and mental health in the caring role.

Supporting a person with an intellectual disability who has been a victim of crime can be a distressing and draining experience. It can also be a trigger for people’s own history, bringing up unwanted memories and feelings.

 

Carers can access practical and/or therapeutic support through Carers Queensland, or elsewhere.

Counselling can:

•     Assist with stress management
•     Provide you with coping skills and strategies
•     Give you practical problem-solving techniques
•     Help you deal with bereavement and loss issues

Carers Queensland have experience providing counselling and support to carers, as well as a range of practical supports and services including:

• Education and Training
• Carers payments and financial support
• Carers support groups
• Family Support and Advocacy
• Respite referrals

Carers Advisory Line: 1800 242 636, or https://carersqld.com.au/contact-us/

 

Unpaid or Paid Support Workers

If you are in a paid role (like a support worker), it is also important that you get support from your organisation. Debrief with your supervisor or colleagues (where appropriate) following distressing events.

If when supporting someone who has experienced a trauma you begin to experience symptoms for an extended period of time such as invasive distressing thoughts about your client, deteriorated sleep or eating habits, or emotional distress, seek support from your supervisor or seek counselling for yourself – 1800 Respect ph: 1800737732  or  Lifeline 13 11 14.

Paid or unpaid, we can only be helpful supports if we look after ourselves.

 

EAP Assist – Wellness Apps available online.

EAP Assist facilitates on-demand technology to provide highly accessible & flexible support to all employees via access to the best evidence-based, clinically-tested wellness apps free for all member employees to access. The Apps address a comprehensive range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety & stress as well as many wellbeing issues, including resilience, confidence & sleep.

Get support online without ever needing to leave your home or workplace enhancing every aspect of your personal & professional life, providing employees with the skills to adapt to ever-changing environments. EAP Assist facilitated apps provide inspiration, cultivate resilience & strengthen skills to build strong mental health each & every day. Wellness Apps have been shown to achieve outcomes that traditional in-person therapy sessions are unable to achieve.  https://eapassist.com.au/wellness-apps/