Mental health, stigma and psychologists' lived experience of caring

Purpose: Mental health and caring can be demanding for those directly and indirectly impacted. An under-researched area is that of professionals’ personal experiences of caring for a loved one with mental health difficulties. This study provided an in-depth exploration of psychologists’ experiences of caring and its impact on clinical practice.
Methodology: Eleven psychologists with experiences of caring for a loved one with a diagnosed mental health condition and/or mental health distress participated in semi-structured interviews focused on caring experiences and its impact. Transcripts were analysed using Thematic Analysis.
Findings: Themes identified were: Personal and professional roles; The emergence of a carer identity; Carer stress and strain; Impact on professional practice; and Dual positioning
Originality: This study highlighted the knowledge and value of listening to professionals with lived experiences. Their ability to understand stigmatisation through personal caring experiences may facilitate the mitigation of this for vulnerable people attending clinical services.