• 57% feel overwhelmed often or always  

• 65% feel overwhelmed because they haven’t been able to take a break 

• 55% need more recognition of their needs from councils  

An increasing number of people looking after a disabled, older or ill relatives are experiencing poor mental health because they cannot take a break from caring.  

More than half (57%) of people responding to the latest State of Caring Survey by Carers UK say they feel overwhelmed ‘often’ or ‘always’. Over a third (35%) say they have ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ mental health, compared to 27% in the previous year’s survey.  

A significant number (65%) of unpaid carers told the charity that the reason they feel overwhelmed is because they are not able to take time away from their caring roles, with two thirds (66%) saying they need more support with their health and wellbeing.  

Under the Care Act 2014, carers are entitled to have a Carer’s Assessment by their local council, offering an opportunity to discuss the help they need in their caring role and assess whether they are eligible for additional support.  

However, Carers UK found that most carers providing substantial care are not receiving Carer’s Assessments. Only 23% have completed an assessment in the last 12 months and 42% of these say their local authority has not supported them following this. 47% say that the assessment identified areas where they need more support, but this has not yet been provided. 

Challenges with social care services are also impacting on peoples’ ability to take a break. 57% of carers experience long wait times for support and 51% say that services were not available when they need them. Of those experiencing difficulties, 79% say it has negatively impacted their mental health.  

Unpaid carers who provide care worth a staggering £184 billion to the economy every year are more likely to develop long-term physical or mental health conditions, disabilities or illnesses compared to those without caring roles.  

Carers UK found that of those carers feeling overwhelmed, 50% were struggling with their own health condition. Over a quarter of carers overall (27%) indicated that their physical health was bad or very bad. 

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:  

“Unpaid carers are under immense pressure. Many tell us that their world has shrunk, that they feel isolated and alone in their caring role. Breaks are essential for carers, enabling them to focus on their own health, needs and interests. An increasing demand for social care services, together with a lack of funding for social care means that, all too often, replacement care and respite services are not available when carers need them. 

“Far too many carers are not receiving adequate support, resulting in poor mental health and burnout. We need to see a clear plan for long-term, sustainable funding ensuring that all local authorities can fulfil their duties to carers under the Care Act 2014 and all carers can access high-quality social care when they need it.”