Individual Submission – Michelle

I am a carer

Michelle

As a child I was impacted by a parental mental health issue; I think its important that we broaden the definition of Young Carer, to include; children who care about someone with a disability, as many parents with disabilities are hesitant to label their chid as a “Young Carer,” due to shame, stigma, etc. Children who have a parent with a disability such as a mental health issue may not be recognised officially as young carers, even though they “Care” about someone and their life and are impacted by the person, and often have issues and episodic extra responsibilities. They are still impacted in the same way and have similar issues such as: isolation, stress, worry, extra responsibilities (which may be episodic), need for education, need for peer support, need for information, need for support, need for respite.