Original studyPsychreg Journal of Psychology, 2017Read the paper →
When someone develops a serious mental illness, family members and friends often take on the role of carer with little warning or preparation. The work can last around the clock and take a heavy toll on their own health. An editorial argues that the internet could help reach carers who would otherwise go without support.
A researcher at Northumbria University set out the case in the opening editorial of the second issue of Psychreg Journal of Psychology. The piece draws on earlier research rather than new data. It looks at carers of people with enduring mental illnesses such as psychosis, personality disorder and bipolar disorder.
Carers provide both physical and emotional support, and many people would struggle to cope without them. In the UK, schemes such as the Triangle of Care aim to build a partnership between carers, professionals and service users. Yet earlier studies have found anxiety, poorer well-being and lower quality of life among carers.
The editorial notes that many people who care for a relative do not see themselves as carers. Young carers in particular may feel they are simply helping out at home. That can stop them from seeking the support that does exist, such as family interventions and education about mental illness.
Online support could remove some of these obstacles. It is available at any time and from anywhere with a connection, so carers do not have to leave the person they look after or find someone to cover. Forums and social media can also link carers with one another and reduce isolation and stigma.
There are barriers too. Earlier research found that age, sex, hours spent caring and employment all affected how much carers used the internet. Lack of time, difficulty finding information and a lack of confidence with technology also stood in the way, and some older carers may have limited access.
The editorial argues that online help should not replace face-to-face support. Instead, it should widen access and encourage more carers to come forward. Randomised trials of online support for carers of people with psychosis and schizophrenia were already under way.
The piece has clear limits. It is an opinion piece based on a selection of earlier studies, and it does not test whether online support improves carers’ health.
The editorial also introduced the journal’s second issue, noting that the journal had been added to new indexes and announcing its first international conference, held in the Philippines in 2018.
