Knowing what it means to care; developing a National Carers Strategy for Personality Disorder

Knowing what it means to care; developing a National Carers Strategy for Personality Disorder

We would be grateful if you would complete this short survey. We remind you that this is completely confidential

Please indicate on a scale of 1-10 how important you think it is that each of the following aims are included in a National Carers Strategy for people with a Personality Disorder?

(1 being unimportant and 10 being essential.)

To promote official recognition of the role of carers by agencies including mental health services, social services and the Department of Work and Pensions

To develop a better understanding of how people caring for someone with Personality Disorders (PD) see themselves. To find the best language to describe the caring role and PD

To be included in the treatment process and listened to by mental health professionals. To better understand when involvement of carers is appropriate from the perspective of carers, people with PD and mental health professionals.

To provide safe and supportive groups where experiences of caring can be shared with fellow carers.

To provide appropriate and accessible one to one support for carers e.g. counselling

To provide access to well moderated on-line peer forums for carers.

To promote better understanding of PD both to the public and mental health professionals.

To provide carers with clear and good quality information about the diagnosis of PD that provides hope for the future and offers practical advice about accessing PD services (including access to PD training and education courses for carers, and information about carers support)

To provide professionals with better training and information on PD and how to communicate this to carers and service users. This includes mental health staff, GP's and other professionals involved in caring for people with PD.

To provide carers with access to timely and appropriate respite care.

To provide support for carers in a crisis situation including outside of working hours. To understand how to meet carers needs in these situations.

To encourage mental health services to include carers of people with personality disorders in planning, developing and evaluating services. To enable carers to speak to decision and policy makers.

To provide easier and timely access to health and social care for carers own mental health needs e.g. proper carer assessments.

To provide independent support for carers outside mental health services e.g. advocacy, counselling, group support.

To provide PD service users with better care, including improved continuity of care, signposting and support for their physical needs.

To provide carers with practical support. This includes support in finding information about benefits, carers' allowances, direct payments and accessing advocacy etc