‘Mental Health Family Carer Experiences of COVID-19 in Australia’ is a co-designed research project that looked at how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the experiences and wellbeing of caregivers who support people with mental health challenges.
The National Mental Health Consumer Carer Forum (NMHCCF) engaged SWITCH Research Group, Monash University as the research partner to work with the Project Steering Group to co-design and co-produce data gathering and data analysis, including: development of tools; preparation of project resources; data gathering and analysis; and with the preparation of the final report. Through state focus groups and a national survey, the researchers investigated the significant adverse impact on mental health carers, their overall experiences, levels of distress, unmet needs and their caring responsibilities due to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The researchers engaged with mental health family carer organisations and individuals in every state and territory. Additionally, spoke with priority populations of young people, aging people, LGBTQI+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, CALD communities, veterans alongside people who could speak to the impacts of supporting people who experience AOD use, suicidal behaviour, and justice system challenges. National Project Steering Group participated in 6 cycles of codesign: engagement; literature review; co-design of focus group protocol and national survey instrument; data collection; interpretation of results; and preparation of final report and dissemination strategy.
Read the summary of the report here: Mental Health Family Carer Experiences of COVID-19 in Australia (Summary)
Read the full report here: Mental Health Family Carer Experiences of COVID-19 in Australia Final Report
