ABSTRACT
Caring responsibilities can be difficult and stressful at any age. Taking on the physical and emotional demands of supporting a family member or friend with a long-term sickness, disability, mental ill health or addiction is a lot for young minds to deal with. For many young people, particularly those who go unidentified, caring can lead to a significant and long-term negative impact on their physical and mental health and well-being. Many experience traumatic life changes such as bereavement, family break-up, losing income or housing, and seeing the effects of an illness or addiction on the person they care for. All these things alongside the pressures of school or college and the social isolation experienced by many can lead to stress, anxiety and depression. Young carers’ physical health may also suffer, and they can experience financial pressures, time pressures, exhaustion as a result of interrupted sleep, physical injuries from repeatedly having to support or move someone with poor mobility.
This chapter explores further:
The impact of being a young carer on all aspects of health and well-being.
Practical solutions for identifying carers, understanding their needs and successful communication, including the whole family approach.
Learning from case reviews and examples.
