Supporting someone with mental ill health

If you help care for a family member or friend who’s living with a mental health condition, it can feel difficult to get the answers and support you might need. We can help.

As well as our one-to-one support and advice, we also offer two groups for family members and anyone supporting someone close who has a mental health condition. Both sessions are friendly and supportive, and are led by our Carer Support Workers.  If you’re not sure if a group is right for you please get in touch and one of our team can give you an idea of what we do.

See below for a bit more information about each group. There’s no need to book a place, just drop in. See the upcoming dates on our events calendar.

Mental Health Carers Group

A monthly group where some sessions are focused on sharing support, and others are discussions led by visiting speakers. New members are always welcome. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 7 to 9pm. We run this group in partnership with Rethink Mental Illness York Group. We run this group from Friends Meeting House, Friargate.

Wellbeing Group for Mental Health Carers

This group is a welcoming and relaxed group for people who support someone with a mental health condition, including caring for: someone in crisis; or someone admitted to, or discharged from Foss Park Hospital.

This group is a time to focus on your wellbeing, chat to others with similar experiences and join in gentle activities.

There are different wellbeing activities each month, with materials and refreshments provided.

We meet on the last Tuesday of each month from 6.15 – 8pm. We run this group from 30 Clarence Street, York YO31 7EW

For information about upcoming groups and to be added to the mailing list, please contact julie.kay@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk

Useful Links

Here are links to organisations providing information, support and advice for family members, carers and supporters of someone with mental ill health:

Rethink Mental Illness

Mind – how to cope as a carer

Carers Trust – mental health

Supporting someone in a mental health crisis

We’ve complied a factsheet with advice and helpful resources (such as helplines and apps) for you if you are supporting someone experiencing a mental health crisis. It can be found in the attachment section below.

Confidentiality and mental health

The local mental health service provider Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust (TEWV) have principles on confidentiality for staff when working with carers. These are detailed on the TEWV website: Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust.

Carers Charter

TEWV have produced a carers charter which is developed for all who support someone being cared for by the Trust.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust – Carers Charter