Are you a carer in the Woolwich area? Take a well-deserved break and connect with others at our brand-new Carers Drop-In sessions! Whether you’re looking for support, information, or simply a chance to chat with others who understand, you’re warmly welcome—no referral needed.
Welcome to a brief update of my Hospital Carers Discharge group. The Carers Hospital Discharge Toolkit Working Group is a collaborative initiative dedicated to improving the hospital discharge experience for carers and their loved ones. Chaired by myself a carer with lived experience, the group brings together a diverse mix of voices, including fellow carers, representatives from local carer centres, and, at times, hospital public and patient involvement (PPI) leads or staff. This inclusive approach ensures that the toolkit remains grounded in real-world experiences while benefiting from professional insight and support.
The meeting began with introductions from various participants who shared their roles related to carer support and hospital engagement, including updates on the Universal Care Plan and NHS 10-year plan from NHS England. We also had a presentation on the new project to support carers across North Central London, covering five boroughs and 11 hospital sites, which will help identify and support carers through various initiatives and resources.
The group discussed upcoming events for Carers Week 2025, new carers charter development at one of London’s largest NHS trusts, and various support programs, while addressing challenges and opportunities for improving carer support across different organizations and locations.
Carer Support and Hospital Engagement
The meeting began with introductions from various participants, who shared their roles and affiliations related to carer support and hospital engagement. Matthew highlighted his involvement in various mental health hospital trusts and carer engagement initiatives, while Eleanor discussed her new role as project manager for the North Central London Carers Support Project, which covers five boroughs. Ros from NHS England provided an update on the Universal Care Plan for carers, noting that more updates are needed. The conversation ended with plans for Eleanor to present later, focusing on developments in carer support across the region.
Universal Care Plan Implementation Update
As mentiioned earlier, there was a discussion the Universal Care Plan, which launched in January and will soon allow unpaid carers to initiate their own plans through the NHS app, expected by late summer or early autumn.
It was noted that while some organizations like hospitals and local authorities are familiar with the plan, there are knowledge gaps in the community and voluntary sectors. It was noted that the Urgent Care Plan team are addressing technical questions about IT systems and interfaces, and they are working towards a coordinated London approach. Also highlighted was the need for more training and support in having conversations with carers about the importance of being identified and registered in the system.
NHS 10-Year Plan Updates
There was also updates on the NHS 10-year plan, expected to be published in July, which will emphasize patient experience and care. An update on the integration of carers’ work streams between NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care, with a likely focus on working-age carers. It was also mentioned on the uploading a video recording of the UCP Carer Contingency Plan launch to NHS Future, which participants could access by requesting to join.
Universal Care Plan Resources
The group discussed the Universal Care Plan (UCP) and its resources for carers, with an offer to connect with the UCP team in South West London.
Matthew shared a website link for UCP One London, which provides information and updates on carer technology initiatives.
The group also discussed plans for Carers Week next month and a new mental health resource for hospitals, though it was noted that details about the latter were still pending.
Carer Support Project Launch
Eleanor presented a new project to support carers across North Central London, covering five boroughs and 11 hospital sites. She explained how the project will identify carers through self-referral or hospital staff identification, using a website with translation tools and referral forms that can be submitted by carers.
Eleanor also discussed plans for carer awareness training and the distribution of informational materials in hospitals to help identify and support carers. Harrow Carers centre raised questions about how hospitals can alert staff to carers involved with patients and how to better identify carers, to which Eleanor responded with plans for training and collaboration with other initiatives like the Universal Care Plan.
Carer Strategy and Resources Discussion
Eleanor discussed her previous work with Guys and St Thomas’s, noting that she had been involved in creating a carer strategy. She offered to provide the email address of a former colleague for more accurate information. The group also discussed a returning from home resources project led by Guys in southeast London, which the CEO of Bexley Carers Centre planned to present at the next meeting.
Carer Support Program Updates
The meeting discussed a carer support program that targets all carers, including young carers, with no specific threshold or type of carer required. Eleanor explained that local carers organizations would decide how to support identified carers, and hospital staff would have a centralized referral system. Matthew McKenzie provided an update on Carers Week events, highlighting various topics and resources available.
I have placed the link below from the NHS England site.
Tower Hamlet Carers Centre shared developments at the Royal London Hospital, including the addition of two carer support workers, a new base on the 13th floor, and efforts to raise awareness among staff and carers.
Carer Support Events and Initiatives
Tower Hamlets Carer centre discussed upcoming events to promote carer support, including a community day on June 11th.
Plus an information stall at the Royal Hospital on June 13th.
Tower Hamlets Carer Centre mentioned plans to start a coffee morning at the hospital’s 13th floor carers hub. Harrow Carers shared that the carers support lead stopped in April due to funding issues, but the NHS trust is now considering joining the Triangle of Care scheme. He requested help finding a suitable presenter for an upcoming meeting with high-level trust members. Matthew offered to connect the centre with Triangle of care leads, who might be able to help with the presentation.
Carers Week Planning and Support
The team discussed upcoming events for Carers Week 2025, including a joint event with the local authority and a new event in the north of the borough in partnership with Greenwich carers. St Georges hospital NHS trust (GESH) shared the development of a new carers charter based on feedback from listening events, which will be shared with various groups and staff to demonstrate commitment to carers’ needs.
SONY DSC
Bexley Carers mentioned the availability of the Household Support Fund for carers facing cost of living issues, with grants of up to £150 available through local authorities.
Here is a brief update of the Triangle of Care Community group for the month of May 2025. The Triangle of Care Community group is a collaborative forum that champions the voices of unpaid carers in mental health services. The group works in partnership with service users, carers, and professionals to embed the principles of the Triangle of Care, promoting shared decision-making, improved communication, and recognition of carers as equal partners in care.
Our most recent meeting brought together carers, NHS professionals, researchers, and advocates from across the UK, including representatives from Kent, Bristol, Lewisham, East Sussex, and Hertfordshire. The atmosphere was one of mutual respect, knowledge-sharing, and a shared drive to improve the experience of care for carers and their loved ones.
The meeting covered updates on Triangle of Care developments, including recent accreditations and ongoing pilots to adapt the model for various healthcare and social settings. Presentations were given on research studies related to mental health care, including pharmacist prescribers’ roles and experiences of underserved older male carers. The group also discussed campaigns for increased research funding in serious mental illnesses and initiatives to support carers, such as Carers Roadshows.
Triangle of Care Expansion Updates
Mary Patel one of the Triangle of Care leads, provided an update on Triangle of Care developments and accreditations. Several healthcare providers have recently gained Star awards. There are ongoing pilots to adapt Triangle of Care for social care settings and to incorporate criteria for better support of racially marginalized carers. Mary announced that the Triangle of Care community group will be formally brought on board with Carers Trust, with Matthew as the inaugural chair for a 2-year term. They are looking to bring on co-chairs to support Matthew in his role.
Triangle of Care Implementation Updates
The group discusses recent achievements in implementing the Triangle of Care model across various healthcare organizations. Gabrielle Richards who leads on carers at South London & Maudsley reported that her trust successfully completed their Star 2 accreditation assessment for community services.
Matthew McKenzie shared a video poem he created about the Triangle of Care as it was shown during the peer review at South London & Maudsley.
Kelvin thanked Gabrielle for her contributions as she prepares to leave her role. Louise from Kent and Medway NHS Trust reported they maintained their second star accreditation and have implemented new processes to ensure carer considerations are included in policy development.
Richard introduced Bashir Al Saeed, a PhD student from the University of Manchester, to present their research study on the experiences of people with mental illness and their carers when receiving care from pharmacist prescribers in the community.
Bashir explains that the study aims to understand and improve care provided by pharmacist prescribers for people with mental illnesses in community-based settings. Participants will be asked to take part in a one-hour interview and will receive £30 as compensation.
The study is seeking individuals aged 18 or older with mental illnesses or their unpaid carers who have received care from pharmacist prescribers in the UK. A discussion follows about the inclusion criteria, particularly regarding the requirement for fluency in English, with concerns raised about potential issues against non-English speakers
Mental Health Research Campaign Initiative
The group discussed a campaign for better research into long-term serious mental illness in working-age people. Irene explained that they have been working on this campaign for a year, collaborating with experts from Oxford and the Welcome Trust.
The campaign aims to gather signatures and includes a short video. Irene emphasizes the importance of this initiative, as many in their group have loved ones who have been ill since their teens and are now in their thirties and forties.
You can find out more about the campaign from the link below.
The discussion focuses on a petition to increase government funding for research into psychosis, including its diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Irene passionately advocates for more effective medications with fewer side effects, emphasizing the need for better understanding of the underlying causes of psychosis. A carer shared personal experiences of her son’s struggles with mental illness and medication side effects. The group discusses the importance of signing and sharing the petition to gain government support for accelerated research in this area.
Pharmacist Prescribing for Mental Health
The discussion focuses on pharmacists prescribing for mental health conditions. Richard explains that some pharmacists, especially those with specialized training, are caring for people with mental illnesses in various settings. However, the extent of their involvement in prescribing and monitoring is still unclear. A carer expressed concern about pharmacists prescribing for severe conditions like bipolar disorder without extensive training. The group discusses the need for proper qualifications and access to medical records. Richard emphasizes that the study aims to understand and improve the care provided by pharmacist prescribers in community services.
Carers Roadshows: Community Support Network
Trevor a carer involved at Notts NHS described his Carers Roadshows, which he has been organizing since 2013. These free events bring together various organizations dealing with health, mental health, and social care to provide information and support to carers and patients.
Trevor emphasizes the importance of communication in triangular care and sees the roadshows as an effective, sustainable tool for fostering connections between different organizations and the community. He expresses his ambition to expand the roadshows across the country, particularly in London boroughs, and offers to help others create their own roadshows using his four-step guide.
Older Male Carers Advisory Group
Steve Owen from the University of Hertfordshire presents his research project on exploring the experiences of underserved older male carers. The project aims to set up an advisory group of 7-10 older men, particularly from minority ethnic groups, same-sex relationships, and rural/coastal areas, to meet from June to December 2025.
The research group will discuss the benefits and challenges of caring, gender dynamics, and access to support. The project’s goals are to develop a grant proposal for further research and improve advisory group guidelines. Steve is still recruiting participants and welcomes help in sharing information about the project.
Final Reflections
The session highlighted both the progress and the gaps still faced by carers, particularly around communication, access to services, and recognition. The Triangle of Care model continues to be a vital tool in bridging these gaps, but it is the commitment of carers and professionals alike that drives real change.
“Thank you for another great meeting Matthew and everyone.” – Linda Thomas “These meetings have been such a resource for us all.” – Gabrielle Richards “Powerful video, powerful voices. Thank you everyone.” – Claire Wood
I’m proud to be involved and help lead as triangle of care community as Chair and look forward to building our impact together. If you’re interested in co-chairing or getting more involved, please reach out let’s continue to shape mental health care that values and includes carers at every level.
Understanding Over-Involvement as a Mental Health Carer
Welcome to another lecture taken off my YouTube channel. If you want to watch the lecture please see the video below.
Caring for a loved one with long-term mental ill health is a profound act of compassion, resilience, and often necessity. For countless unpaid carers, the daily reality involves advocating, supporting, and filling in the ever-widening gaps left by under-resourced mental health systems. But amid this dedication, a challenging reality emerges: what happens when you become “too involved” as a mental health carer?
Navigating the boundary between healthy support and over-involvement is fraught with emotional, social, and systemic complexities. For many carers, especially those without significant backup or support from services, over-involvement isn’t a deliberate choice. Rather, it’s a reaction to anxiety, lack of resources, unavailable respite, or a deep sense of responsibility, factors often compounded by the failures of the very systems meant to help.
This article explores the nuanced challenges of over-involvement, the psychological and social fallout for carers, the systemic pitfalls that fuel this cycle, and constructive pathways forward.
What Does It Mean to Be “Too Involved”?
Over-involvement as a mental health carer doesn’t refer to love or dedication, but to a state where healthy boundaries are blurred. It can look like:
Constantly monitoring or managing every decision or behavior: Driven by anxiety, the carer feels compelled to oversee every aspect of their loved one’s life.
Neglecting one’s own needs and identity: Support shifts from helping to living solely for the cared-for person, with carers sidelining their own health and well-being.
Becoming the sole or primary source of support with little to no backup: In the absence of adequate services, carers take on overwhelming responsibility.
Feeling unable to step away—even when necessary: Carers may feel there’s simply no option to rest, leading to chronic exhaustion.
While not every carer will experience all of these, most will likely encounter at least some, especially during crises or prolonged periods of under-resourcing.
The Emotional and Social Toll of Over-Involvement
Burnout and Fatigue
The most immediate impact of over-involvement is caregiver burnout. Continual vigilance, lack of sleep, and emotional strain take a heavy toll. Fatigue accumulates until carers can no longer function effectively, putting their own mental health at risk.
Guilt, Anxiety, and Isolation
Carers often wrestle with overwhelming guilt—fearful of not doing enough, or of something going wrong in their absence. Anxiety about possible crises or relapses becomes a constant presence. Over time, this anxiety, coupled with a lack of support, leads to profound isolation: friends, hobbies, and social ties erode under the relentless demands of caring.
Loss of Identity
Many carers experience a blurring, or even a loss, of their personal identity. They become “the carer,” subsuming roles as a partner, parent, sibling, or friend. The world shrinks to the immediate needs of the cared-for person, often at the expense of the carer’s own aspirations and selfhood.
Depression and Hopelessness
Without respite or validation, carers can slip into depression. Hopelessness stems from the sense that there is no help available and nobody understands the unrelenting emotional labor.
Neglect of Personal Health and Finances
Skipping one’s own medical appointments, neglecting health, and losing the ability to work full or even part-time are all too common. The financial strain can be devastating, adding yet another layer of stress.
Social Withdrawal and Relationship Strain
Over-involvement is a key driver of relationship breakdowns—not just with friends and work, but with the cared-for person. Overreliance on the carer can breed resentment on both sides, fueling conflicts, codependency, and, on the part of the cared-for person, a diminished sense of autonomy and independence.
Systemic Failures: Why Carers Become Over-Involved
Underfunded and Overstretched Services
The reality for many mental health carers is that the system simply doesn’t provide for the needs of those with mental health conditions—let alone their carers. Cuts to services, lack of staff, and waiting lists mean that carers are left to fill the gaps. They become, by necessity, the constant support, regardless of personal capacity.
Lack of Communication and Training
Poor communication from health or social services leaves carers in the dark. With no clear guidance or explanation of the cared-for person’s needs, diagnosis, or care plan, carers are left to guess, manage, and advocate alone. Often, vital training around role limitations or healthy boundaries is missing entirely.
Delayed or Insufficient Care Provision
When care is delayed or inadequate, carers are expected to step up, often without assessment or recognition. Insufficient professional support forces carers to take on roles they may not feel prepared for.
Weak Support and Community Networks
With respite care and carer centers decreasing in number and capacity, finding relief or support is increasingly difficult. Carers are isolated, unable to share experiences, access information, or receive the validation needed to carry on effectively.
The Double-Edged Sword of Professional Involvement
When Professionals Flag “Over-Involvement”
Health professionals may at times flag a carer as being “too involved” and, in some cases, limit or block their involvement in treatment or information sharing. While, in theory, this is a safeguard to protect the autonomy and recovery of the person with mental health needs, in practice it often plays out as a means of gatekeeping, especially in overburdened services.
Confidentiality laws may be invoked, sometimes rightly, sometimes in a blanket manner—leaving carers excluded from vital care discussions. “Gatekeeping” behaviors can include:
Restricting carers from meetings, updates, or ward visits
Using complex jargon to confuse or minimize a carer’s role
Citing a carer’s emotional state as evidence they may be a hindrance, thereby weaponizing carer fatigue
The Controversy: Persistence vs. Over-Involvement
A difficult question arises: when does persistence and advocacy for a loved one become “over-involvement”? Too often, carers asking difficult questions or pushing for better care are labeled obstructive or overbearing, sometimes as a way for professionals to deflect accountability for insufficient services or to reduce pressure on their own overstretched roles.
Yet, the very qualities needed in good carers—advocacy, persistence, commitment to high standards of care—may be used against them. Without structure, dialogue, and mutual respect, the risk is that carers are shut out, leaving both carer and cared-for at greater risk.
The Vicious Cycle: Carer Fatigue as a Reason for Exclusion
Systemic failure has a way of compounding itself. Carers are forced to step in because services are lacking. This necessary over-involvement leads to fatigue, stress, and sometimes mistakes or emotional responses. Professionals then point to this fatigue as a reason to exclude the carer or question their suitability—without offering alternatives or meaningful support. The end result: everyone loses, most of all the person in crisis.
Best Practices: Constructive Solutions and Support Strategies
Respite and Connection: The Need for Rest and Support Networks
Respite care, though increasingly scarce—is essential. Time off to rest, reset, and re-engage with passions outside the caring role is not a luxury but a lifeline.
Equally vital are carer support groups and centers, whether formal (hospital, community organizations) or informal (peer-organized). These provide:
Connection and reduced isolation
Information about navigating the mental health system
Validation and shared experience
Opportunities to strengthen one’s own identity
Many carers find that meeting others, even infrequently, offers practical ideas and emotional relief.
Learning to Set Healthy Boundaries
Establishing boundaries is crucial, but incredibly hard—especially when no backup options exist. Carers benefit greatly from structured education about:
The scope and limits of their role
When to step back, and how to do so without guilt
How to communicate their boundaries to professionals and family
Such education is often, unfortunately, lacking. Professional services have a duty to provide training and guidance, both for the carer’s health and for the relationship with the cared-for person.
Professional Education and Constructive Inclusion
Mental health professionals need ongoing training—not just on mental health conditions, but on carer engagement and support. Constructive inclusion means:
Sharing appropriate (non-confidential) information with carers
Involving carers in care planning and discussions
Recognizing their unique insights, without over-relying on them
Actively supporting carers to take breaks or step back as needed
Shared Responsibility, Not Transferred Responsibility
Mental health systems must prioritize shared responsibility. Carers should neither be left to do everything (“just get on with it”) nor shut out completely. Effective service provision means:
Joint care planning that integrates professionals, patients, and carers
Policies that match available resources—rather than just shifting risk onto families
Building a culture of respect and inclusion, not suspicion or blame
Carers’ Right to Step Back
Carers should feel empowered to step back from their role, even temporarily, without fear of catastrophe or overwhelming guilt. This is only possible in systems that provide meaningful support and backup—not merely moral encouragement.
Final Reflections: Moving Forward with Awareness and Compassion
The challenges of over-involvement as a mental health carer are not a sign of personal failure. More often, they reflect the shortcomings of a fragmented, under-resourced system that expects too much while providing too little.
No approach will be perfect. Sometimes, even with the best intentions, carers will cross the line into over-involvement. What’s essential is recognizing these moments not as failures, but as signals to seek connection, education, respite, or professional guidance.
For professionals, the task is to move beyond gatekeeping and work with carers as partners, acknowledging both their knowledge and their limits. For families, building peer support networks and for carers individually, permission to step back—are keys to sustainability.
Ultimately, meaningful mental health care must be rooted in shared responsibility, communal support, and flexible, compassionate boundaries. Only then can carers continue to support their loved ones not just out of necessity, but out of a place of balance, health, and hope.
Resources for Mental Health Carers
Carers UK: Offers a wide range of advice and community forums for carers.
Mind: Provides specific support on mental health caring, advocacy, and rights.
Rethink Mental Illness: Campaigning and advice for families and carers.
Local Carer Centers: Contact your local authority or NHS Trust for groups and training.
Peer Support Networks: Consider informal groups or online forums for shared experience and validation.
If you are a carer, professional, or someone with lived experience: remember, caring is both a gift and a challenge. Prioritize your own well-being as part of the journey. The health of the whole community depends on supporting you too.
Hi everyone, it’s Matthew McKenzie here, and as you know, my focus is usually on raising awareness about unpaid carers, those who care for someone living with long-term ill health, whether it be mental health or physical health. Today, we’re shifting our attention slightly to discuss strategies for dealing with depression. This issue doesn’t just affect the individuals you’re caring for; it can also impact unpaid carers themselves. I’ve been through it, and it’s something that creeps up on you unexpectedly. Even while doing your best in your caregiving role, external factors and the nature of who you’re caring for can significantly affect your mental well-being.
To watch the video, please see below.
Strategies for Combating Depression
Let’s dive into these 20 or so strategies that carers, or anyone for that matter, can use to deal with depression.
Welcome to another blog and awareness video by carer activist Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM. If you wish to see the awareness below, please click below.
Raising Awareness: The Unseen Heroes of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive neurological condition predominantly affecting movement and coordination, often evokes the imagery of tremors and physical discomfort. Yet, beyond these visible symptoms lies an intricate complexity that reshapes daily life for both those diagnosed and the caregivers – the unsung heroes standing resiliently behind them.
As we mark World Parkinson’s Day 2025, it is imperative to delve deep into the unseen facets of this journey, particularly focusing on driving and the often-overlooked unpaid carers who tirelessly offer support, love, and patience against formidable odds.
Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: A Complex Condition
Parkinson’s Disease is more than an ailment of tremors. This progressive neurological disorder brings with it a range of symptoms that affect mobility, movement, and coordination, making daily tasks increasingly challenging. However, that’s merely the surface. The true complexity of Parkinson’s lies in its unpredictable nature, no two journeys are the same. Each individual experiences a unique set of challenges, and by extension, so do their families and carers.
The Impact on Mobility and Beyond
While the loss of coordinated movement is a significant indicator, Parkinson’s Disease affects much more than the physical. It impacts daily activities, altering how individuals interact with their environment and the people around them. This transformation extends beyond the individual, touching families and communities and reshaping relationships in profound ways.
The Role of Unpaid Carers: Strength and Resilience in Silence
For every person diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, there usually stands an unpaid carer – a partner, child, friend, or close companion who navigates this journey alongside them. These carers exhibit an unwavering commitment marked by strength and resilience, often facing their own set of challenges including emotional, physical, and financial strains. It is crucial to acknowledge their dedication and raise awareness about the indispensable role they play.
Life Beyond Diagnosis: A New Normal
Carers find their lives dramatically altered as they take on responsibilities that extend far beyond regular caregiving duties. There’s no clocking out, no salary, and hardly any spotlight. Carers prioritize the needs of the person with Parkinson’s above their own, often dealing with the emotional toll of the disease. They embody strength – the kind needed to wake up each day and face unknown variables, to push forward despite physical and emotional exhaustion.
The Intersection of Parkinson’s and Driving: Independence and Freedom
Driving symbolizes independence, connection, and freedom – aspects that those living with Parkinson’s struggle to hold on to. For many, driving is more than a convenience; it is a crucial part of their identity and autonomy. However, the progression of Parkinson’s can compromise these abilities, bringing about new challenges and fears.
The New Role of Carers in Mobility
Carers play a significant role in helping to navigate this new reality. They advocate, co-pilot, and sometimes take over the wheel in both a literal and emotional sense. Their support becomes an anchor for the person with Parkinson’s, helping them maintain some semblance of independence and connection with the world.
The Collective Effort: Parkinson’s UK and Global Initiatives
World Parkinson’s Day is spearheaded by a global alliance comprising approximately 80 Parkinson’s organizations, unified in their mission to raise awareness and advocate for those affected. Parkinson’s UK stands at the forefront of this initiative, leading the fight for better care, support, and services. They emphasize the importance of community, providing expert guidance and an invaluable support network for both patients and carers.
Advocacy and Community Support
These organizations work tirelessly to promote awareness, engage in advocacy efforts, and foster a sense of community. They provide a platform for those affected by Parkinson’s to share their experiences, find support, and fight for a better quality of life. Through these collective efforts, the aim is to ensure that no one faces this journey alone.
A Call to Action: Recognizing and Supporting Carers
As we commemorate World Parkinson’s Day, it is essential to recognize the people standing behind those with Parkinson’s. These carers often carry a significant portion of the burden, usually unnoticed and unacknowledged. Raising awareness about their contributions is vital to ensure they do not have to bear this weight in silence.
Driving Forward Together
The road ahead requires a collective effort to drive forward, not just physically but in terms of societal understanding and support. It’s about creating a world that truly acknowledges the challenges of living with Parkinson’s and equally the dedication of those who love and care through its trials. Together, by sharing this mission, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with Parkinson’s and their carers.
Thank you for taking the time to read and understand the multifaceted journey of Parkinson’s Disease on this World Parkinson’s Day 2025. Let’s continue to support, advocate, and drive forward towards a better world for those living with and caring for Parkinson’s Disease.
Embracing Stress Awareness Month by Matthew McKenzie
Stress Awareness Month, observed every April, serves as a powerful reminder to pause, reflect, and take charge of our well-being.
To watch the awareness video, click below.
In 2025, the theme for Stress Awareness Month is “Lead with Love,” which encourages us to approach both ourselves and others with kindness, compassion, and acceptance. This movement is orchestrated by the Stress Management Society, a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 dedicated to helping individuals and organizations manage stress, improve well-being, and build resilience.
The Importance of Ethnic Minority Mental Health Carer Voices: Empowering Unpaid Carers from the Global Majority by Matthew McKenzie
In today’s world, the voices of ethnic minority carers in mental health services must be heard and valued. The National Ethnic Mental Health Carers Forum meeting, held on March 28, 2025, underscored the vital role that co-production and lived experience play in shaping better services for those who care for loved ones with mental health needs.
On Wednesday 26th March, I had the pleasure of attending and representing Carers UK along with Greenwich Carers MH carers grouos. This was at the Greenwich Carers centre – Carers Forum – Mental Health event.
The event was held in the building and then in a beautiful garden setting surrounded by passionate individuals and organisations all focused on supporting unpaid carers. As someone who’s deeply involved in carer advocacy, this was more than just an information stall, it was a moment to connect, empower, and share resources that can make a real difference in someone’s life.
By Triangle of Care community chair Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM
For the month of March, unpaid carers, NHS professionals, and key stakeholders came together for another Triangle of Care National Community Meeting, which is a powerful space of collaboration, reflection, and shared purpose. Chaired by Matthew, the meeting spotlighted significant developments in carer engagement, mental health service standards, and equity frameworks across the NHS.
A Caring Mind 