• Topic
• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> Carers advice for support and information services >> Carers advice for support and information services

Carers advice for support and information services

• Clip
• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Wei - Interview 31 >> More help is available now, but when her husband first became unwell it was hard to get interpreters (recording in Chinese).

Wei has been caring for her husband since he got mental health problems more than 20 years ago.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Tina - Interview 18 >> Tina says the meals in hospitals don't suit a Hindu diet (played by an actor).

Tina cares for her son who suffers from mental health problems and she is also working as a carer for people with mental health problems at an Asian community centre.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Sophie - Interview 09 >> White British professional carers don't look after her sister's hair and skin properly.

Sophie has always had a caring role for her sister Angel. Angel is diognosed with Schizophrenia, but Sophie thinks this diagnosis is based on behaviour resulting from inappropriate medication of a mental disability and behavioral problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Nita - Interview 12 >> Nita says voluntary services are best at meeting individual needs, but funding is an issue.

Nita cares for her mother who is diagnosed with manic depression. She thinks it is essential that carers have their own needs met and that they get support to come to terms with the loss and hurt they may feel.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Aiko - Interview 17 >> Aiko thinks services should be more open minded and listen to people from different cultures.

Aiko has been caring for her husband who suffers from complex post traumatic stress syndrome, bi-polar disorder and severe depression for seven years. She believes mental health services should address the needs of the whole family.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Agnes - Interview 29 >> Because her English is limited, a Chinese organisation gives Agnes the best support.

Agnes has been caring for her daughter, who has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression, for four years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Ramanbhai - Interview 27 >> Ramanbhai doesn't need any services himself, but his wife benefits from the local South Asian support centre.

Ramanbhai is a full time carer for his wife who suffers from depression. It took many years before she diagnosed, and she has other health issues as well.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Amar - Interview 01 >> Amar thinks statutory services need to be easier to access in a crisis.

Amar's mother got a schizophrenic disorder around the time the family moved from Kenya via India to England. Over forty years later, Amar is her mother's main carer, on top of a full time job and being a parent.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Ramila - Interview 13 >> Ramila felt obliged to have a carer's assessment in case it could help her brother, but the outcome was predictable.

Ramila has been caring for her brother who is diagnosed with schizophrenia for ten years. She thinks carers and service users deserve to be treated with more respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Sarah - Interview 25 >> Her first carer's assessment offered unsuitable respite, but the second assessment was better (played by an actor).

Sarah cares for her son who has shcizophrenia. She is active in several carer's oganisations.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Jane - Interview 22 >> She does not apply for things she is entitled to because she feels her honesty is doubted (played by an actor).

For the last 20 years Jane and her husband has cared for their daughter Sarah, who has schizophrenia. She worries about what will happen to their daughter when they are not around anymore.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Nita - Interview 12 >> Nita thinks carer's assessments need to be re-thought so that people don't have to jump 'hurdles' to get what they are entitled to.

Nita cares for her mother who is diagnosed with manic depression. She thinks it is essential that carers have their own needs met and that they get support to come to terms with the loss and hurt they may feel.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Emily - Interview 19 >> Emily was happy with her carer's assessment which was supported by her local Afro-Caribbean Centre.

Emily has been caing for her husband who suffers from Schizophrenia since she came to the UK three years ago. She says her relationship to God gives her peace and makes her able to cope with a difficult situation.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Pooja - Interview 23 >> She says information must be made available to make sure people get help quicker than they did.

Pooja has cared for her husband for 12 years. He suffers from depression and from other health issues and is very dependent on her.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Guo - Interview 14 >> He thinks the police in the USA are better at helping families affected by mental health problems.

Guo has been caring for two sons with bi-polar disorder for over twenty years. He doesn't think the current services meet the needs of people with mental health problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Marcie - Interview 04 >> She thinks every carer should get respite that suits their needs.

10 years ago Marcie's husband Larry was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Today he is completely depended on her and Marcie gave up her job as a Ward Clark to look after him. Most of Marcie's time is taken up with caring for him, which is restricting and isolating.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Emily - Interview 19 >> Emily doesn't want to be away from her family for long periods, so takes short breaks at the community centre.

Emily has been caing for her husband who suffers from Schizophrenia since she came to the UK three years ago. She says her relationship to God gives her peace and makes her able to cope with a difficult situation.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Pooja - Interview 23 >> The lack of suitable transport services makes it hard for her husband to attend community centres.

Pooja has cared for her husband for 12 years. He suffers from depression and from other health issues and is very dependent on her.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Ramila - Interview 13 >> She suggests professionals should work with carers to help them identify what information they need.

Ramila has been caring for her brother who is diagnosed with schizophrenia for ten years. She thinks carers and service users deserve to be treated with more respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Kiran - Interview 26 >> Non-technical language and information in writing can make it easier to understand (recording in Gujarati).

Kiran has been caring for his wife for seven years. She has a lot of health issues and it took over 20 years to find out that depression was an important part of her problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Tina - Interview 18 >> Tina says information should be available in different languages (played by an actor).

Tina cares for her son who suffers from mental health problems and she is also working as a carer for people with mental health problems at an Asian community centre.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> He suggests that new cares should be given carers' packs, that they should be kept informed and be part of treatment teams.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Elaine - Interview 32 >> Elaine talks about how she felt when the social services wanted to section her father (played by an actor).

Elaine was the main carer for her father for the last four years of his life. He suffered from vascular dementia and Elaine feels both he as a patient and she as a carer were let down by the system.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> Nick lost confidence when he was told that his son's symptoms were the result of his parenting.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Ramila - Interview 13 >> Ramila says 'you just know' racism is there, even if it is difficult to explain.

Ramila has been caring for her brother who is diagnosed with schizophrenia for ten years. She thinks carers and service users deserve to be treated with more respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Sophie - Interview 09 >> Sophie says we all notice race, but the problem comes when workers make decisions based on stereotypes.

Sophie has always had a caring role for her sister Angel. Angel is diognosed with Schizophrenia, but Sophie thinks this diagnosis is based on behaviour resulting from inappropriate medication of a mental disability and behavioral problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Wei - Interview 31 >> More help is available now, but when her husband first became unwell it was hard to get interpreters (recording in Chinese).

Wei has been caring for her husband since he got mental health problems more than 20 years ago.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Aiko - Interview 17 >> Aiko thinks services should be more open minded and listen to people from different cultures.

Aiko has been caring for her husband who suffers from complex post traumatic stress syndrome, bi-polar disorder and severe depression for seven years. She believes mental health services should address the needs of the whole family.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Nita - Interview 12 >> Nita says voluntary services are best at meeting individual needs, but funding is an issue.

Nita cares for her mother who is diagnosed with manic depression. She thinks it is essential that carers have their own needs met and that they get support to come to terms with the loss and hurt they may feel.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Sophie - Interview 09 >> White British professional carers don't look after her sister's hair and skin properly.

Sophie has always had a caring role for her sister Angel. Angel is diognosed with Schizophrenia, but Sophie thinks this diagnosis is based on behaviour resulting from inappropriate medication of a mental disability and behavioral problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Guo - Interview 14 >> Gou has been called racist names and told to 'go home' many times, but he avoids confrontation.

Guo has been caring for two sons with bi-polar disorder for over twenty years. He doesn't think the current services meet the needs of people with mental health problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Raye - Interview 30 >> Raye thinks there is racism in mental health services and in society generally.

Raye grew up with mental health problems in the family. Today, she is the main carer for her father (paranoid schizophrenia), her sister (schizophrenia) and her brother (manic depression). She now feels she needs to let go of some of the responsibilities and focus on her own life.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Kiran - Interview 26 >> He thinks fewer changes of doctors, longer consultations and clearer packaging of medicine would help carers and service users (recording in Gujarati)

Kiran has been caring for his wife for seven years. She has a lot of health issues and it took over 20 years to find out that depression was an important part of her problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Elaine - Interview 32 >> She thinks it would be helpful to have someone to mediate when there is conflict between carers and service personnel (played by an actor).

Elaine was the main carer for her father for the last four years of his life. He suffered from vascular dementia and Elaine feels both he as a patient and she as a carer were let down by the system.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Agnes - Interview 29 >> She thinks health care workers should show their patients more warmth and encouragement.

Agnes has been caring for her daughter, who has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression, for four years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Indira - Interview 08 >> She says professional home carers make remarks because she is Asian and Muslim.

Indira has been caring for her aunt who has Alzheimer's disease for five years. She believes older people deserve to be treated with respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Aiko - Interview 17 >> The information Aiko got came late, and without any guidance or direction.

Aiko has been caring for her husband who suffers from complex post traumatic stress syndrome, bi-polar disorder and severe depression for seven years. She believes mental health services should address the needs of the whole family.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Sophie - Interview 09 >> Sophie has not looked for support because in her culture you are supposed to be strong yourself.

Sophie has always had a caring role for her sister Angel. Angel is diognosed with Schizophrenia, but Sophie thinks this diagnosis is based on behaviour resulting from inappropriate medication of a mental disability and behavioral problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Tina - Interview 18 >> Tina says the meals in hospitals don't suit a Hindu diet (played by an actor).

Tina cares for her son who suffers from mental health problems and she is also working as a carer for people with mental health problems at an Asian community centre.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Sarah - Interview 25 >> Sarah found out most of what she knows about schizophrenia on the internet (played by an actor).

Sarah cares for her son who has shcizophrenia. She is active in several carer's oganisations.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> Services and minority ethnic communities >> Services and minority ethnic communities

Services and minority ethnic communities

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> Services in the community >> Services in the community

Services in the community

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Leah - Interview 28 >> Leah was told to ring the police because no one was there to give her son his injection (recording in Chinese).

Leah has been caring for her son Albert with schizophrenia for 17 years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Anton - Interview16 >> The home carers are helpful, but he monitors their work and has complained when things are not done properly.

Anton cares for his 84 year old mother who suffers from dementia. His caring responsibilities together with his own health problems meant he had to take early retirement, but he is very involved in voluntary work.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Indira - Interview 08 >> When the home carers left their aunt in her own waste, Indira and her cousin believed it was a criminal assault.

Indira has been caring for her aunt who has Alzheimer's disease for five years. She believes older people deserve to be treated with respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Anton - Interview16 >> Anton says that home carers' jobs can be unpleasant and they have poor pay and working conditions.

Anton cares for his 84 year old mother who suffers from dementia. His caring responsibilities together with his own health problems meant he had to take early retirement, but he is very involved in voluntary work.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Indira - Interview 08 >> She finds some of the home carers very rude to her aunt.

Indira has been caring for her aunt who has Alzheimer's disease for five years. She believes older people deserve to be treated with respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Indira - Interview 08 >> She says home carers need more training.

Indira has been caring for her aunt who has Alzheimer's disease for five years. She believes older people deserve to be treated with respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Raye - Interview 30 >> Raye feels she needs to set new boundaries both for her father and for the health and social services.

Raye grew up with mental health problems in the family. Today, she is the main carer for her father (paranoid schizophrenia), her sister (schizophrenia) and her brother (manic depression). She now feels she needs to let go of some of the responsibilities and focus on her own life.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Kiran - Interview 26 >> There is government support in this country, but you have to get out and ask for it (recording in Gujarati).

Kiran has been caring for his wife for seven years. She has a lot of health issues and it took over 20 years to find out that depression was an important part of her problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Ramila - Interview 13 >> Knowing their limitations and regulations doesn't stop Ramila sometimes feeling angry with services.

Ramila has been caring for her brother who is diagnosed with schizophrenia for ten years. She thinks carers and service users deserve to be treated with more respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Ramila - Interview 13 >> Ramila felt obliged to have a carer's assessment in case it could help her brother, but the outcome was predictable.

Ramila has been caring for her brother who is diagnosed with schizophrenia for ten years. She thinks carers and service users deserve to be treated with more respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Emily - Interview 19 >> Emily was happy with her carer's assessment which was supported by her local Afro-Caribbean Centre.

Emily has been caing for her husband who suffers from Schizophrenia since she came to the UK three years ago. She says her relationship to God gives her peace and makes her able to cope with a difficult situation.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Nita - Interview 12 >> Nita thinks carer's assessments need to be re-thought so that people don't have to jump 'hurdles' to get what they are entitled to.

Nita cares for her mother who is diagnosed with manic depression. She thinks it is essential that carers have their own needs met and that they get support to come to terms with the loss and hurt they may feel.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Jane - Interview 22 >> She does not apply for things she is entitled to because she feels her honesty is doubted (played by an actor).

For the last 20 years Jane and her husband has cared for their daughter Sarah, who has schizophrenia. She worries about what will happen to their daughter when they are not around anymore.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Sarah - Interview 25 >> Her first carer's assessment offered unsuitable respite, but the second assessment was better (played by an actor).

Sarah cares for her son who has shcizophrenia. She is active in several carer's oganisations.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Amar - Interview 01 >> Amar thinks statutory services need to be easier to access in a crisis.

Amar's mother got a schizophrenic disorder around the time the family moved from Kenya via India to England. Over forty years later, Amar is her mother's main carer, on top of a full time job and being a parent.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Tina - Interview 18 >> Tina says the ability housing officers are not giving her clients the support they are paid for (played by an actor).

Tina cares for her son who suffers from mental health problems and she is also working as a carer for people with mental health problems at an Asian community centre.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Ramila - Interview 13 >> Knowing their limitations and regulations doesn't stop Ramila sometimes feeling angry with services.

Ramila has been caring for her brother who is diagnosed with schizophrenia for ten years. She thinks carers and service users deserve to be treated with more respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Marcie - Interview 04 >> She enjoys time off now, but felt guilty the first time her husband went into respite care.

10 years ago Marcie's husband Larry was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Today he is completely depended on her and Marcie gave up her job as a Ward Clark to look after him. Most of Marcie's time is taken up with caring for him, which is restricting and isolating.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Indira - Interview 08 >> She says home carers need more training.

Indira has been caring for her aunt who has Alzheimer's disease for five years. She believes older people deserve to be treated with respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> The doctors did not tell Nick about the tests that should have been done on his son or the possibility of getting a second opinion.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Leah - Interview 28 >> Her son complains about the nurses, but she is grateful to the medical staff (recording in Chinese).

Leah has been caring for her son Albert with schizophrenia for 17 years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Anne - Interview 20 >> Anne says it can be very difficult to get psychiatric help in an emergency.

Anne has been caring for her husband, who has severe depression, over the last four years. She has recently returned to part time work after having been a full time carer for some time. She believes it should be a requirement that health professionals listen to carers.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Indira - Interview 08 >> She finds some of the home carers very rude to her aunt.

Indira has been caring for her aunt who has Alzheimer's disease for five years. She believes older people deserve to be treated with respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Leah - Interview 28 >> Leah is happy with her son's consultant and trusts her (recording in Chinese).

Leah has been caring for her son Albert with schizophrenia for 17 years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Anton - Interview16 >> Over the years he has developed a good relationship with his GP.

Anton cares for his 84 year old mother who suffers from dementia. His caring responsibilities together with his own health problems meant he had to take early retirement, but he is very involved in voluntary work.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Anton - Interview16 >> If you are not satisfied with the home carer service, complaining can make a difference.

Anton cares for his 84 year old mother who suffers from dementia. His caring responsibilities together with his own health problems meant he had to take early retirement, but he is very involved in voluntary work.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Sarah - Interview 25 >> Sarah wishes the psychiatrist would be more involved in her son's case (played by an actor).

Sarah cares for her son who has shcizophrenia. She is active in several carer's oganisations.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Sophie - Interview 09 >> Sophie discovered that her sister was on a very large 'cocktail of drugs' and wonders who is responsible.

Sophie has always had a caring role for her sister Angel. Angel is diognosed with Schizophrenia, but Sophie thinks this diagnosis is based on behaviour resulting from inappropriate medication of a mental disability and behavioral problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> Nick's son has had little psychotherapy; and he thinks there is a dearth of psychotherapy in mental health care.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Angela - Interview 15 >> Angela thinks people with mental health problems need a firm hand and spiritual care.

Angela cared for her brother with mental health problems for much of her adult life. Once her brother was cured, she was finally able to get married and have a family, the absence of which had been as source of great pain for her.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Elaine - Interview 32 >> Having been attacked herself, Elaine worried about her father when he was in hospital (played by an actor).

Elaine was the main carer for her father for the last four years of his life. He suffered from vascular dementia and Elaine feels both he as a patient and she as a carer were let down by the system.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Ramila - Interview 13 >> Ramila thinks people with mental health problems should be given the privacy of their own room.

Ramila has been caring for her brother who is diagnosed with schizophrenia for ten years. She thinks carers and service users deserve to be treated with more respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Elaine - Interview 32 >> Elaine's father was sectioned and moved from the general ward to the psychiatric ward against her will (played by an actor).

Elaine was the main carer for her father for the last four years of his life. He suffered from vascular dementia and Elaine feels both he as a patient and she as a carer were let down by the system.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Elaine - Interview 32 >> The psychiatric ward could not provide all the treatment her father needed and did not have notes about his physical condition (played by an actor).

Elaine was the main carer for her father for the last four years of his life. He suffered from vascular dementia and Elaine feels both he as a patient and she as a carer were let down by the system.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Elaine - Interview 32 >> She felt staff had given up on her father and so she intervened (played by an actor).

Elaine was the main carer for her father for the last four years of his life. He suffered from vascular dementia and Elaine feels both he as a patient and she as a carer were let down by the system.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Anton - Interview16 >> Anton says that home carers' jobs can be unpleasant and they have poor pay and working conditions.

Anton cares for his 84 year old mother who suffers from dementia. His caring responsibilities together with his own health problems meant he had to take early retirement, but he is very involved in voluntary work.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> When living in a supervised home, Nick's son managed to avoid taking his medicine and relapsed.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Elaine - Interview 32 >> She thinks her father would have died in hospital had she not intervened using her skills as a nurse (played by an actor).

Elaine was the main carer for her father for the last four years of his life. He suffered from vascular dementia and Elaine feels both he as a patient and she as a carer were let down by the system.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Indira - Interview 08 >> When the home carers left their aunt in her own waste, Indira and her cousin believed it was a criminal assault.

Indira has been caring for her aunt who has Alzheimer's disease for five years. She believes older people deserve to be treated with respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Leah - Interview 28 >> Leah was told to ring the police because no one was there to give her son his injection (recording in Chinese).

Leah has been caring for her son Albert with schizophrenia for 17 years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Anton - Interview16 >> The home carers are helpful, but he monitors their work and has complained when things are not done properly.

Anton cares for his 84 year old mother who suffers from dementia. His caring responsibilities together with his own health problems meant he had to take early retirement, but he is very involved in voluntary work.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Amar - Interview 01 >> Amar says people with mental health problems are not told of their rights to have assessments and care plans.

Amar's mother got a schizophrenic disorder around the time the family moved from Kenya via India to England. Over forty years later, Amar is her mother's main carer, on top of a full time job and being a parent.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Nita - Interview 12 >> She says the NHS needs to take more responsibility and not expect voluntary organisations to do work it should be doing.

Nita cares for her mother who is diagnosed with manic depression. She thinks it is essential that carers have their own needs met and that they get support to come to terms with the loss and hurt they may feel.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Guo - Interview 14 >> The CPN helped when Gou's son had trouble with the police.

Guo has been caring for two sons with bi-polar disorder for over twenty years. He doesn't think the current services meet the needs of people with mental health problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> Initially, Nick got little information from the CPN.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> He says GPs should know more about how to pick up on mental health problems.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Anton - Interview16 >> Over the years he has developed a good relationship with his GP.

Anton cares for his 84 year old mother who suffers from dementia. His caring responsibilities together with his own health problems meant he had to take early retirement, but he is very involved in voluntary work.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Agnes - Interview 29 >> After Agnes's daughter had attempted suicide, housing suddenly became available.

Agnes has been caring for her daughter, who has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression, for four years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Sophie - Interview 09 >> Sophie worries that her sister is taken advantage of in the residential care home.

Sophie has always had a caring role for her sister Angel. Angel is diognosed with Schizophrenia, but Sophie thinks this diagnosis is based on behaviour resulting from inappropriate medication of a mental disability and behavioral problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Agnes - Interview 29 >> Agnes did not think her daughter's key worker was fair when filling in a housing application.

Agnes has been caring for her daughter, who has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression, for four years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Raye - Interview 30 >> Raye thinks there is racism in mental health services and in society generally.

Raye grew up with mental health problems in the family. Today, she is the main carer for her father (paranoid schizophrenia), her sister (schizophrenia) and her brother (manic depression). She now feels she needs to let go of some of the responsibilities and focus on her own life.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Raye - Interview 30 >> Raye says her sister, like many other people from minority ethnic communities, has become institutionalised.

Raye grew up with mental health problems in the family. Today, she is the main carer for her father (paranoid schizophrenia), her sister (schizophrenia) and her brother (manic depression). She now feels she needs to let go of some of the responsibilities and focus on her own life.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Sophie - Interview 09 >> Sophie says we all notice race, but the problem comes when workers make decisions based on stereotypes.

Sophie has always had a caring role for her sister Angel. Angel is diognosed with Schizophrenia, but Sophie thinks this diagnosis is based on behaviour resulting from inappropriate medication of a mental disability and behavioral problems.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a sister or brother >> Ramila - Interview 13 >> Ramila says 'you just know' racism is there, even if it is difficult to explain.

Ramila has been caring for her brother who is diagnosed with schizophrenia for ten years. She thinks carers and service users deserve to be treated with more respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> Nick lost confidence when he was told that his son's symptoms were the result of his parenting.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Elaine - Interview 32 >> Elaine talks about how she felt when the social services wanted to section her father (played by an actor).

Elaine was the main carer for her father for the last four years of his life. He suffered from vascular dementia and Elaine feels both he as a patient and she as a carer were let down by the system.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> Support from carers' services >> Support from carers' services

Support from carers' services

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Sarah - Interview 25 >> If the person who is unwell doesn't want to go to the doctor, talk to your own doctor or ask for a home visit and contact mental health organisations

Sarah cares for her son who has shcizophrenia. She is active in several carer's oganisations.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Nita - Interview 12 >> She says the NHS needs to take more responsibility and not expect voluntary organisations to do work it should be doing.

Nita cares for her mother who is diagnosed with manic depression. She thinks it is essential that carers have their own needs met and that they get support to come to terms with the loss and hurt they may feel.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a parent >> Nita - Interview 12 >> Nita says voluntary services are best at meeting individual needs, but funding is an issue.

Nita cares for her mother who is diagnosed with manic depression. She thinks it is essential that carers have their own needs met and that they get support to come to terms with the loss and hurt they may feel.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Jane - Interview 22 >> Jane's GP told them about a centre which had services both for her and her daughter. It was a good source of information (played by an actor).

For the last 20 years Jane and her husband has cared for their daughter Sarah, who has schizophrenia. She worries about what will happen to their daughter when they are not around anymore.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Anne - Interview 20 >> Her support worker from a local voluntary organisation is very flexible and gives her great support.

Anne has been caring for her husband, who has severe depression, over the last four years. She has recently returned to part time work after having been a full time carer for some time. She believes it should be a requirement that health professionals listen to carers.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Jane - Interview 22 >> Her community centre provides a space to talk and opportunities for lots of activities, which break the tension of everyday life (played by an actor).

For the last 20 years Jane and her husband has cared for their daughter Sarah, who has schizophrenia. She worries about what will happen to their daughter when they are not around anymore.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Wei - Interview 31 >> At the carers' group Wei meets other people and does things which takes her mind off her problems (recording in Chinese).

Wei has been caring for her husband since he got mental health problems more than 20 years ago.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for other or more than one relative >> Indira - Interview 08 >> She is happy with the sitting service and grateful that the voluntary organisation can send the same person each time.

Indira has been caring for her aunt who has Alzheimer's disease for five years. She believes older people deserve to be treated with respect.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Nick - Interview 02 >> When carers get together they support and learn from each other.

Nick and his wife have cared for their son with paranoid schizophrenia for almost 12 years. In the beginning Nick didn't feel heard by health professionals, but today he is a very involved.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Agnes - Interview 29 >> Because her English is limited, a Chinese organisation gives Agnes the best support.

Agnes has been caring for her daughter, who has OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression, for four years.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for a son or daughter >> Jane - Interview 22 >> Jane had been a carer for many years before her doctor told her about a centre which had services both for her and her daughter (played by an actor).

For the last 20 years Jane and her husband has cared for their daughter Sarah, who has schizophrenia. She worries about what will happen to their daughter when they are not around anymore.

• Mental health >> Mental health: ethnic minority carers’ experiences >> People caring for their husband, wife or partner >> Ramanbhai - Interview 27 >> Ramanbhai doesn't need any services himself, but his wife benefits from the local South Asian support centre.

Ramanbhai is a full time carer for his wife who suffers from depression. It took many years before she diagnosed, and she has other health issues as well.