Support for family members, carers or significant others of people with bipolar disorder

Families, carers or significant others of people with bipolar disorder need assistance and support from mental health services, carer support groups and health care professionals. Parents or carers of children or young people with bipolar disorder may require additional supports to manage the practical impacts of caring for them, and its impact on their own mental health. Carer assistance programs can provide support, education and respite care. Useful resources for family members, carers or significant others of a person with bipolar disorder include:

• the Australian Government website—provides information about benefits and payments for carers
• Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres—provides information on local carer support, disability and community services. Telephone 1800 052 222 (business hours) or 1800 059 059 (emergency after-hours respite support)
• Carers Australia—a national peak body representing Australia’s unpaid carers. Telephone 1800 242 636
• Carer Gateway—provides a carer support and advisory service in different languages. Telephone 1800 422 737
• Head to health
• SANE Australia.

Involve family members, carers or significant others in psychoeducation to ensure they can recognise early symptoms of relapse and initiate early management of a mood episode.