See various links below for useful information for carers or families of someone with a chronic health condition.

The Australian Health Consumer covers a broad range of issues including health financing, privacy, patient safety, quality use of medicines, clinical standards, and general practice. It provides a consumer-focused appraisal of the current and ongoing major health issues of the day and is essential reading for all those who wish to keep themselves up to date on the issues of concern to those people at the heart of the health system - health consumers.

Pfizer Australia Health Report - Carers Pfizer Australia has commissioned independent research for Carers Australia to investigate attitudes of carers in the Australian community and how the role impacts their lives. Published July 2004.

The Working Carers Support Gateway project aims to provide information and support to low income and isolated carers who are juggling both caring and workplace demands. The website offers a range of resources to provide support on the run to busy carers. This is a new service initiative developed by the Disability and Aged Information Service Inc (DAISI) based in Lismore NSW in partnership with NSW Health under its Carer’s Program.

Wellness issues and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) - People with CKD and those who care about and for them can have a range of emotional responses: shock, sadness, grief, fear, anger, frustration, feeling down, tense or alone, and sometimes many of these. Some losses may seem relatively trivial - like limiting social engagements or shifting housework to a partner - yet these can be important and may signal changes in relationships such as greater dependence. Many people also talk about a grieving for their previous health, abilities and their life before CKD. Mental health problems may develop because:

• adapting to CKD is stressful - for the individual and family members
• we may feel our body and general situation are out of control, and there is nothing that we can do
• we feel lonely and isolated from family and friends
• sometimes it can be difficult to talk about the illness with those close to us - we don't want to worry or upset them.

For some, the emotional impact can feel overwhelming. It can leave us very anxious and depressed. It can stop us from doing the things we need to do in our daily lives, and from taking pleasure in things we usually enjoy.

Depression and anxiety are very common with CKD. They can appear in people affected and in those who care about them, through all stages of CKD - from diagnosis to dialysis, following transplantation and even in deciding not to start or to withdraw from dialysis. These feelings are normal and it is helpful to talk about them with people who care about us. While they are unsettling, it is important to remember that each of us has the ability to learn new coping skills and develop relationships with individuals who can provide support.

 Statistics tell us that:

• One in three people are at increased risk of developing Chronic Kidney Disease
• 34% of people with a chronic illness rate their quality of life as fair or poor and 61% experience depression
• Symptoms of depression are often unrecognised or confused with symptoms of other illnesses
• Mental illnesses are treatable and the vast majority recover well
• People living with chronic illness who have effective treatment for associated depression can improve control of their illness
• Approximately 2 million Australians may be affected by early-stage kidney disease and don't know it
• 11.3% of all deaths in Australia are due to, or associated with, kidney failure
• Every day, five Australians commence expensive dialysis or transplantation to stay alive
• Three million Australians will experience a major depressive illness during their lifetime
• 17% of Australians (more than 3.5 million) experience depression or anxiety each year

Depression and anxiety disorders are treatable, and learning to understand them and how they are treated - especially things you can do to manage symptoms yourself - is a powerful way to start on the road to recovery. Recovery means that you will be among the many people living with CKD who have been through this experience and are leading productive and satisfying lives.

Why are mental health problems more common among people living with CKD?  Depression and anxiety are medical conditions. As with many other conditions, some people are born with a genetic disposition to developing them. And certain things - for example, stress or other life events - can then trigger the onset of symptoms.

Adjusting to, and coping with all the changes that accompany CKD bring ongoing stress that can build up over time. Certain events are also particularly stressful, and you may be more likely to develop depression or anxiety at these times - such as at diagnosis, beginning treatment, after a transplant or when taking certain medications. People you have got to know during treatment may become very unwell or die. Coping with other medical problems such as skin cancers or high blood pressure, or dealing with relationship break-ups or job loss can also be stressful triggers. The presence of these stresses is probably the most common reason for poor mental health in people with kidney disease.

Emotional and Wellness Resources

Beyond Blue  National Australian Depression Initiative 1300 224 636
DaVita  Highly recommended USA site - CKD, emotional health and wellbeing - sexuality, anger, depression, holiday blues, caregiver stress, sleep, positive thinking, benefits of pets, etc.
Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 Free confidential, phone counselling service (5 - 25 yrs, in Australia)  
Men's Line Australia 7 day a week service for men with family and relationship difficulties 1300 789 978
Emotional issues and CKD  DaVita USA
Just the Facts: Dealing with Depression  also in Spanish
Life Goes On  HOPELINE 24 hour support 1300 364 673 - There are times, often after hours, when you need someone to talk to - who can lift you out of despair and inspire you to carry on
Lifeline 13 11 14  for 24-hour crisis telephone counseling
SANE  Helpline 1800 18 SANE (7263)
SANE Mind and Body Initiative
SANE Australia  Pfizer Report - Depression and Chronic Illness
• Suicide Call Back Service  Free, nationwide telephone service that offers short to medium term support for people at risk of suicide, their carers, and those bereaved by suicide. Suicide Call Back Service Referral Line – 1300 659 467. It is staffed between 10am and 8:30pm (EST), 7 days a week. If calling outside these hours, please leave a message and a member of the team will contact you the next day. This number is not a crisis line. Click here for 24 hour support services

Carers Australia - www.carersaustralia.com.au
National Office
PO Box 73, Deakin West ACT 2600 
Unit 1, 16 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600
Ph: 02 6122 9900  Fax:  02 6122 9999
caa@carersaustralia.com.au

Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres: 1800 242 636 (freecall*)
Carer Respite Centres: 1800 059 059 (freecall*) * Freecall from local phones. Mobile calls at mobile rates.

Carer Associations and Commonwealth Carer Resource Centres