The following stories are typical of local carers whom CAUSE has been able to support:

“Fourteen years ago my family’s lives were thrown into chaos when my husband developed clinical depression. Nothing could have prepared us for this devastation. Our previously ‘normal’ existence ended and we faced heartache, terror and panic.

My husband’s frequent suicide attempts and admissions to hospital, the pain and fear endured by my young children, and my lack of knowledge, information and support, all left me feeling isolated and lonely.

I had lost my best friend and I was grieving. Added to this was the extra pressure and uncertainly of losing our only income.

I was frantic with worry and couldn’t sleep. I had many unanswered questions. Would I lose my husband, my sanity or my home? Would my children suffer long-term emotional damage? Was there any end to this hell?

The pain was unbearable and no-one seemed to understand. That’s when I turned to CAUSE for support”

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“Caring for someone with a mental illness takes up your whole life – it’s a 24-hour job. There is only limited emotional, practical or financial support and, unlike a physical illness, mental illness doesn’t go away in time – it just goes on and on and on”.

When my wife was diagnosed with severe depression, I was frightened and didn’t know how to cope. Nobody told me what was going on, nobody explained what she would need and no-one asked me how I was coping. Ignorance and the lack of education about mental illness is a big problem. That’s why people stay silent but nothing will be done if we don’t seek help and speak out – that’s why I decided to get in touch with CAUSE”.

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CAUSE also receive feedback on the services offered by the Charity. The following are a selection of these ‘endorsements’:

"I have a great debt to CAUSE.  Without help from CAUSE and my Carer Advocate over the years, I feel I would be in a more negative place now and would not be able to support my loved one as effectively as I now do."

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“I don’t feel quite so hopeless now. I know I have an important role in my husband’s care and won’t be afraid to speak up.”

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“I have found the CAUSE group a lifeline at times of utter despair - I haven’t found anyone else who understands or cares like CAUSE.”

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“CAUSE was the only support available at a very desperate time in our lives.  To have someone listen and know what it is like was a saving grace.  Thank you.”