Rethink Mental Illness is at the forefront of service improvements With a quarter of the British population affected by mental illness each year, the charity Rethink Mental Illness is making recommendations to the new government in its crucial first hundred days, and playing a pivotal role in NHS England’s blueprint for mental health services improvement.

Following consultation with service users, carers and stakeholders, recommendations are focussing on areas including fair funding, welfare, employment and healthcare.

Rethink Mental Illness was established by carers and seeks to give them, and those they care for, a voice in every aspect of mental health provision.

In recognition of the invaluable role that carers have in helping people affected by mental illness, the organisation has developed a range of services specifically for them.

Rethink Mental Illness Oxfordshire Carers’ Support Service Manager Julie Males said: “Carers often don’t realise the amount of effort that it takes to look after someone and often they forget to look after themselves.

“We help them to keep both mentally and physically healthy. We advise carers on issues such as eating well, going back to work and finding a life outside of being a carer. We feel very strongly that the work that carers do should be recognised by all.”

Dedicated workers in every part of Oxfordshire offer specialised one-to-one support to family and friends of anyone affected by mental illness, tailored to individual needs.

Carers are offered a support plan to recover a life outside of their caring role, and monthly support groups are run throughout the county, providing the opportunity to meet others in similar situations.

Specialised training sessions for unpaid carers throughout the year include “Caring and Coping”– an education programme providing information and support and the opportunity to develop practical skills in areas including communication, coping strategies and self-help.

Julie Males added: “It can be difficult to identify and understand how to help a person who may be developing a mental health problem.

“We can help here too.

“In the same way that we learn physical first aid, our “Mental Health First Aid” course teaches people how to recognise crucial warning signs of mental ill health, and how to help.”

For further information please contact the Rethink Mental Illness Oxfordshire Carers Support Service by calling 01865 904499 or by e-mailing oxfordshirecarers@rethink.org