One in five Australians will experience mental illness in their lifetime, and behind these statistics are individuals, families and friends providing daily care and support.

There can be detrimental impacts to care givers who provide ongoing support to loved ones or family members experiencing these challenges. These impacts may include, but are not limited to, grief, shame, guilt, frustration, anger and pain.

Whether you’re a family member, friend or carer, when providing support to anyone at risk, it is critical to have holistic self-care practises to look after your social and emotional wellbeing.

Some practical ways to look after yourself while supporting others include:

• Making time for regular self-care
• Doing your best to stay connected with those who matter to you
• Being gentle on yourself and reaching out when you’re ready
• Learning about the available support around you

Making yourself a priority in your life is the first step to be able to keep others safe around you.

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24/7), text 0477 13 11 14, or chat online at lifeline.org.au.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can also contact 13YARN (13 92 76) for 24/7 crisis support. In an emergency, call 000.