SBS: Thousands of young Australians take on caring roles

Published August 24 2021

Carer Gateway spoke with SBS News for an important audio piece on what it means to be a carer, the toll the pandemic is having on carers, and what support is available through services such as Carer Gateway.

Click the link below to listen or read the transcript below.

Transcript
Thousands of young Australians take on caring roles

SBS 0:02
You're listening to SBS news. Family Life has shifted dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, with extra mental health challenges on top of balancing work and home duties. These extra pressures coupled with COVID-19 lock downs and feelings of isolation have put the focus on family dynamics for parents and carers. Kellie King who lives in Shepparton in regional Victoria cares for her daughter who has an acquired brain injury and a grandson with autism.

Kellie 0:34
I think deep down in my core I always knew that I was in a caring role. But there was also this push-back and resistance around wanting to identify as a carer because I was more looking at myself as a daughter or a grandmother or a mum and so defining an identity that I didn't necessarily relate to or didn't want to relate to

SBS 0:58
Ms King's parents also both have health conditions. She says she reached a crisis point last year when she was not coping with being a carer and sought help from the service Carer Gateway.

Kellie 1:10
Time has been a real challenge. Like I I find it really hard sometimes to find a balance between me time and caring time financially has been challenging like I've gone from, you know, six figure type employment down to having to survive at times on terrorist pension, which is challenging.

SBS 1:32
Ms King now recognises herself as a carer but says there is an unspoken stigma about the role and she noticed some struggle to ask for help. As a result, many carers can feel isolated particularly during the pandemic, but support is available through care a gateway launched last year. Vicki Down is the state manager of Carer Gateway, which is designed by carers and she says there is a big demand for emotional support.

Vicki Down 1:58
COVID-19 caused a lot of stress for carers. As you can imagine, carers were receiving in home respond and supports in that in the community prior to COVID-19. And when COVID hit all of that sort of stopped. Carers were really concerned about letting anyone into their home to provide them with any support.

SBS 2:16
Some estimate suggests there are two young carers in every classroom, with Care Gateway reporting that some carers are even primary school age. These young Australians taking on an unpaid care role are having to step up to tasks beyond their years. It's estimated 235,000 Australians aged under 25, including some as young as 12 are in some type of caring role helping a relative or friend. This group is eligible for grants to support education costs to ensure they do not miss out on opportunities for their future. Carers Australia CEO Liz Callaghan says many young people are taking up extra caring duties because of Coronavirus, but they could be at risk.

Liz Callaghan 3:00
We know that young carers are already more susceptible to social isolation, financial and educational disadvantage, as well as potential impacts to their own health.

SBS 3:10
About 1000 grants are accessible nationally for young carers, and they can apply for a $3,000 bursary from next week. These people may provide care to an ageing loved one or someone who is dependent on alcohol or drugs without realising the duties they have. But for some carers they are juggling multiple roles when parenting young children with special needs. Mother of two Menoz Bowler cares for her son who is legally blind. And in the past, she has dealt with public assumptions about her role in his life

Menoz Bowler 3:41
by felt like there was a lot of judgments by the public and, and a lot of criticism towards me. I felt like there was a lot of judgments, but now through this little wonderful supports that are in place. Andrew has grown up so much he is now verbal.

SBS 4:01
The criminal lawyer who is originally from Iran has been confused with being her five year old son's nanny or nurse rather than his mother.

Menoz Bowler 4:09
When I explained the situation, people are quite apologetic and responsive. But I still it still forces me to have a conversation with them. I shouldn't really have to explain what's occurring but the comments towards me almost demands a response

SBS 4:26
Ms. Bolwer is encouraging carers and other working mothers to ask for help after she got Carer Gateway assistance. This included counselling over the phone connecting with other mothers for peer support and respite services.

Menoz Bowler 4:40
A common assumption is that because you're working and you're quite articulate on an ordinary day that you would be able to ask for help, but not many people want to admit or ask for help.

SBS 4:56
Last year, a national carer survey found nearly half of participants had experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress. And the not for profit community provider Merri Health is reporting more than 720,000 Victorian carers are missing out on vital services, which is putting them at risk of mental health issues, particularly during COVID-19 lockdowns. A separate study about caring during the coronavirus pandemic showed that from almost 500 responses 60% of participants lost some or all of the support services for the person they care for. And this reduction in support was cited as a reason for the carers increase in responsibilities, with one respondent stating "this is twenty-four seven, and it's hell." The majority had suffered from worsening mental health since the start of COVID-19, highlighting the importance of extra resources needed for carers to ease the pressure on families. National Carers Week starts October 10 and lasts until the 16th with the theme millions of reasons to care.

Stephanie Corcetti SBS News