Hi all,
I’ve been a carer for my mother, who has depression, for many years. I also help support my brother-in-law, who experiences severe psychosis.
In supporting them both, I’ve have been left frustrated by the lack of good quality information specifically for for the family and friends trying to help someone through a mental health crisis.
So I’ve created a website to help: hereforsomeone.org.uk. It’s a small, independent, not-for-profit project that I run myself. It’s free to use, and the aim is simply to help friends and family work out what to say, what to do and where to find support.
I’d like it to reflect other people’s experiences too, and I’m hoping some of you might be willing to help shape it. What helped you? What do you wish someone had told you earlier? Was there well-meant advice that actually made things harder?
I’d also welcome contributions from people who have received support themselves. What did family or friends do that helped? What do you wish they’d understood or done differently?
If you’d be happy to contribute something for the website, there’s a form here:
Share your experience
A few sentences are enough. You don’t need to give your name or email address. Contributions are published anonymously, with your permission, and I read everything before it goes on the site. You can also ask for your contribution to be removed if you change your mind.
I’d welcome honest feedback on the website as well. Is something missing, confusing or unhelpful? What would you have wanted to find when you first needed help?
Thanks for taking a look. I am hoping the forum moderators are ok with me posting this!
Thanks,
Will and Amy