HELP US FIND YOUNG CARERS VIA FACEBOOK!

Young people providing care to someone with a mental illness are one of the most hidden groups of people in key research and data collection activities targeting Australian carers. They also experience significant disadvantage and marginalisation as a result of their caring role. With the limited data available, we know that for young people, caring responsibilities can get in the way of school, casual jobs and socialising with friends and over the long-term, this can result in lower rates of employment and education participation, poorer physical and mental health and social isolation.
 
In order to address this disadvantage and properly meet the needs of young people caring for someone with a mental illness, we need to hear from young mental health carers directly.
 
The MHCA is seeking 1,000 responses from young mental health carers to its annual mental health carers survey via a Facebook survey application. All young mental health carers aged 13 to 18 in Australia are eligible to participate, and the MHCA is also offering a $20 pre-paid VISA gift-card to survey participants in recognition of their time and contribution. Log into Facebook and copy in this link to reach the survey http://www.facebook.com/youngcarersproject
 
The Young Carers Project (YCP) survey app will remain live on Facebook until the start of February 2012, or until 1,000 responses are collected.
 
For further information about the Mental Health Carers Project 2011-12, please contact Kate Judd via email at kate.judd@mhca.org.au, or Linda Rosie via email at linda.rosie@mhca.org.au or by phone on 02 6285 0810.
Source: Mental Health Council of Australia