*Serious post alert, c/w suicidal ideation* Such an important (and sadly, deeply relatable) read here. The system is broken for these families 💔

For the first time, anyone in a mental health crisis can now call 111 and receive support from trained mental health professionals. The 24/7 service is available for all ages, including children, providing vital help through a single phone line. england.nhs.uk/2024/08/nhs-11…

This Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer says it how it is ⬇️⬇️⬇️

This 👇

This is a true story

This⬇️

Yep.

“Parents constantly have to battle the system and are often forced to fight the same battle over and over again because the system changes, different agencies aren't talking to each other, or their child ages out of children's services and needs support as an adult.”

This. Is not good enough.

Nobody is listening. Nobody cares. We are being slowly suffocated and the silence is deafening 😔💔 The system generated trauma we are all experiencing is taking a heavy toll 😥 #SENDcrisis

“As parents get older, there's an incredible fear of who will take care of my child when I die? How do I make sure they're being taken care of properly, that the care they receive is high quality?” I feel very seen. And I absolutely have struggled with suicidal thoughts.

This on #ParentCarer mental health… ‘Having to give up your job… contributes to that feeling of being trapped. If you have nothing outside your home that gives you an identity beyond being a parent carer, you can quickly lose your sense of self and your world gets very small.’

It’s always a privilege to spend time with matthew mckenzie FRSA BEM’s carer groups and today was no different. Such lovely feedback on our parent carer research and some really valuable thoughts on how researchers can do a better job of engaging black carers.

Thanks Wendy Chamberlain for highlighting our research in tonight's UK House of Commons debate on the need for a Carers Strategy. With more than 40% of #ParentCarers (& many other #UnpaidCarers) contemplating suicide, a Strategy cannot come soon enough. birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/more…

So pleased that this work by Dr Siobhan O'Dwyer was highlighted in last night’s adjournment debate by Wendy Chamberlain It’s vital research that highlights why every government department has a part to play in any future Carers Strategy ⬇️

At the parliamentary debate yesterday on 'Potential merits of a cross-Government strategy on #unpaidcarers', Wendy Chamberlain discussed many issues which Centre for Care team members have produced research on and continue to study, often collaborating with Carers UK (a thread) 1/8

Two papers submitted today. One on burnout in parents caring for disabled children. The other on homicides & homicide-suicides perpetrated by unpaid carers. Hoping for swift, positive reviews🤞🏻🤞🏻so we can start using the findings to inform better policy & practice for carers.

The NIHR Doctoral Local Authority Fellowship Scheme is now inviting applications! This is your chance to pursue a fully funded PhD while continuing your work in a local authority setting. Open to staff and charities working with Local Authorities. Apply👇 nihr.ac.uk/funding/nihr-d…

A privilege to be at The SLS University of Bristol today presenting preliminary findings from our research on homicides & homicide-suicides perpetrated by family caregivers.