The Partners in Depression group, which starts on August 3 and runs for six weeks, will focus on the needs of people caring for a loved one with depression. 

“Partners in Depression offers carers a chance to take a step back and look at their situation from a different angle,” Maitland Private Hospital senior social worker Gabrielle Murphy said. 

“It allows these carers to look at ways to change their life or even to recognise the aspects of their life that they are managing really well.” 

Carers NSW and Maitland Private Hospital are offering the service.

“Carers contribute an enormous amount to the Mental Health system and a recent study by the University of Queensland estimated that in 2015, carers of people with a mental illness provided $13.2 billion worth of care” reports Carers NSW CEO, Elena Katrakis. 

“Three in four carers who responded to the Carers NSW 2016 Carer Survey reported below average wellbeing, indicating that carers find it difficult to prioritise their own needs and self-care.”

Carers who have participated in past groups benefited from accessing relevant information and taking time out to focus on their own self-care.

Carers also had the opportunity to share their caring experiences, discuss communication strategies and learn more about suicide and self-harm.   

“Carers are often so busy trying to keep their loved one and their families going, that their own needs are often ‘last on the list’, but like a building, they are the foundation of their family,” Ms Murphy said. 

“If they don’t care for themselves, their ‘building’ falls down.

To find out more about the Partners in Depression group, contact Gabrielle Murphy at Maitland Private Hospital on 02 4931 2302 or Tania Ewin at Carers NSW on 9289 4280