One in two carers experience high psychological stress, survey finds

A new survey has found carers are exposed to higher risk of mental illness and lower well being due to financial and personal stress.

Carers NSW surveyed nearly 7,000 carers over a month in 2022 and found over half said they were experiencing high levels of psychological stress.

"Caring is extremely isolating and financially difficult," one respondent.

The report comes in line with National Carers Week, an initiative championed by the non-profit to spread awareness and acknowledge the 2.65 million Australians' caring for a friend or loved one.

Carers NSW chief Elena Katrakis said the survey showed how carers' mental wellbeing is commonly underrecognized and under acknowledged by the government and the community.

"These are extremely concerning results that need to be urgently addressed," Katrakis said.

Among those surveyed, most people cared for one person and were often the sole carer. They were also most likely to live with the person they cared for.

Respondents spent around 104 hours a week caring for someone, and nearly half said they provided 24/7 care. The average length of the carer role was close to 13 years.

"Everything costs more, uses more power, uses more water, uses more food, replaces damaged items, can't have a life, I'm no one, just a carer," one respondent said.

Of the estimated one in ten Australians providing informal care, the majority is not paid for their service, leading to half of the carers struggling to make ends meet. One in seven said they're experiencing financial distress.

"Anyone at any time can become a carer, providing support to a family member or friend who has a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness or who is frail due to age," Katrakis said.

"We encourage all carers to take time for themselves during the recognition week."

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