Mental health issues for carers with no back-up

A GROWING number of people are struggling with mental health issues because they are now caring for relatives with a disability, where previously they would have been able to pay for care.

A conference on mental health stigma held in Dublin yesterday heard that many people, who have lost their job, are now providing direct care for disabled family members, often with no training.

Chief executive of People With Disabilities in Ireland (PWDI) Morgan McKnight said other issues were also causing concern in households around the country, such as the changed economic situation which could threaten funding for services.