May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the results of a recent survey, conducted by Surewise, a leading provider of care workers insurance in the UK, reveal telling insights into the mental health of carers and how the cost of living crisis has had an impact.
Almost one in two carers agree that the current cost of living crisis has had a negative impact on their mental health, while 70% of carers surveyed are not confident they will make it financially through the next year, the survey revealed.
Stuart Bensusan, Director of Surewise:
“For years the lack of mental health provisions for the care sector has been highlighted again and again, but our research shows that in light of the cost of living crisis, many of these crucial members of our society are suffering more than ever. Despite the hard work and sacrifices that carers, both paid and unpaid, make every single day, it’s also clear that there is a fundamental failure to provide financial support for those working in this sector.”
Key findings show that mental health provision for carers is lacking. Three in four carers feel that being a carer has had a negative impact on their mental health at times. Carers are hit hard by the cost of living crisis. 75% of carers strongly agree or agree that the cost of living crisis has had a negative impact on their mental health
Money worries are a frequent theme. 70% of carers are not confident that they will be able to manage financially in the next year due to the cost of living crisis. Basic necessities are top on the list of financial cutbacks for carers. 65% of carers are cutting back on daily essentials such as food in response to the cost of living crisis, with 32% cutting into their savings.
Stuart Bensusan, Director of Surewise:
“Carers are already facing an increased burden of responsibility for the people they care for, with many unpaid carers reducing their income in order to do so. That the vast majority of carers are not sure how they will get through the next year is something that urgently needs to be addressed.”
You can read the full survey breakdown here: Carers & Mental Health: The Impact of the Cost of Living.
This survey was commissioned by Surewise.com using Google Surveys to conduct the research. In total, the sample size was 2,709 adults aged 18+ and based in the UK, with the data collected between 29th September and 3rd October 2022.
