Welcome to a brief update of my Lewisham mental health carer forum aimed at those caring for someone living with mental illness.

The carer group discussed the importance of involving carers in the planning and improvement of services, with a focus on creating a carer family involvement network and improving carer information. They also addressed concerns about the lack of involvement of black carers in Council initiatives and the need for better communication and support for carers. The conversation ended with discussions on effective communication in caregiving for mental health, the importance of self-care for carers, and the need for professional help when communication breaks down.

Carer Peer Support Initiative Discussion

Carers discussed the upcoming event on the 14th of December, which is a carers peer support initiative. They also discussed the need for more carer-related peer groups and the importance of involving carers in the planning and improvement of services. Lucy, the patient and public involvement lead for SLAM, shared her plans to create a carer family involvement network and to improve carer information. She also mentioned a meeting on the 11th of December to discuss the network’s structure and involvement. Matthew agreed to promote the group and suggested that the group could be a bridge between carers and the local authority.

Carers Involvement and Support Discussion

In the meeting, members discussed the involvement of carers in their respective organizations. Matthew shared his experience with a carers group he used to chair, and how it involved various organizations. A carer expressed concerns about the lack of involvement of black carers in the Council’s initiatives and asked how the Council is showing its support for them. Lucy explained that the Council has commissioned Imago to support all carers, and the teams are expected to identify carers and ask them what support they need. She also mentioned that the Council is looking to develop a carers involvement group for the early intervention service. A carer shared a personal experience of a carer who was not getting the support she needed due to organizational boundaries, and emphasized the need for a more holistic approach to support people with mental health issues in the community.

Improving Carers Forum and Communication

A carer expressed concerns about the carers forum set up by the Council, suggesting that it should be more inclusive and not just for carers. She emphasized the importance of involving other organizations to change the culture and way of thinking. The carer also highlighted the need for a co-productive approach and the importance of carers owning the initiative. She noted that the Council’s approach and attitude towards carers was a concern. The carer also discussed the need for better communication and involvement in the development of the community mental health pilot in Lewisham. She emphasized the importance of staff capacity in neighborhood teams to work with communities and engage in co-production. The group agreed on some points, adding that sharing information across council areas was challenging.

Improving Carer Support and Connectivity

A carer expressed her struggle in sharing information with the wider carer community, particularly mental health carers, and the need for better identification and support for carer champions. She also highlighted the issue of carers not knowing who their carer champions are. Matthew emphasized the importance of linking GPs with carers and relatives, and the need for a strong link between GPs and mental health services. A carer discussed the implementation of a system in older adults, aiming to relieve pressure on carers and patients by providing specific names and phone numbers for support. Another carer shared her involvement in developing a carer’s booklet for the GP practice and the potential for raising awareness and pushing for training around carer support and connectivity within the system.

Effective Communication in Caregiving Situations

Matthew then moved on to his lecture on effective communication when caring for someone. This segment discusses strategies for effective communication between carers and their loved ones with mental health issues. Matthew plans to briefly cover active listening techniques, as good communication is crucial for avoiding relationship breakdowns in caregiving situations. He acknowledges that a one-size-fits-all approach may not work due to varying illness types and severities, but emphasizes the importance of training carers on communication skills rather than leaving them unprepared. The discussion also touches on making carer resources more accessible in different languages and formats.

Effective Communication in Caregiving

Matthew discussed the importance of effective communication in caregiving for mental health. He emphasized the need for carers to be non-judgmental, simplify language, and use open-ended questions to foster trust and control. He also highlighted the importance of staying calm during crises and practicing empathy. Matthew acknowledged that these skills are not always easy to master, but they are crucial for maintaining relationships with loved ones and advocating for their needs. A carer expressed concerns about the potential for exploitation by nominated persons, and Matthew agreed, suggesting that carers should seek advice in such situations.

Matthew then emphasized the importance of effective communication in caregiving, particularly in mental health care. He highlighted the need for trust, empathy, and dialogue to avoid communication breakdowns, which can lead to distrust and capacity issues. Matthew also stressed the importance of self-care for carers, as it can improve their emotional capacity to communicate effectively. He suggested techniques such as journaling, seeking support groups, and examing nonverbal communication. Matthew also underscored the importance of acknowledging achievements and seeking professional help when communication breaks down or the situation escalates. A carer shared her experience with a parenting course called NVR, which helped her prioritize issues and manage her emotions better.

This concludes the brief update of the Lewisham mental health carer forum for Novemember.