Mental Health Caregiver Guidance

Communicate with respect

• Choose a calm time, listen more than you speak and ask what support feels useful
• Use observations rather than labels: “I noticed you have not slept” instead of “You are being difficult”
• Do not shame, threaten, mock symptoms or argue aggressively about unusual beliefs
• Respect privacy and independence while acting when immediate safety is at risk

Support care and daily life

• Help arrange appointments, transport and a written medicines list
• With permission, note sleep, appetite, functioning, substance use, side effects and early warning signs
• Support regular meals, sleep, hygiene, activity and manageable responsibilities
• Break tasks into small steps and recognise progress
• Ask the treating team what changes require urgent contact

Make a crisis plan

• Write down early warning signs and the person’s preferred contacts
• Keep 112, Tele-MANAS 14416, the treating clinician and nearest hospital details available
• Plan who can stay with children or dependent relatives during a crisis
• Secure medicines and other means of harm when risk is identified and it is safe to do so

Protect caregiver health

Long-term caring can affect sleep, mood, work and physical health. Share tasks, take planned breaks and seek help for your own distress. Support groups, counselling, psychoeducation and respite may help.

If you are being threatened or harmed, move to safety and call 112. Caring does not require accepting violence.