New statistics from the Carers UK State of Caring 2018 report reveal that 74% of carers in Wales say they have experienced ill mental health as a result of their caring role.
These figures show that Wales ranks slightly above the UK average of 72% of carers having mental health issues, with only 4% of UK carers claiming that their mental health had not been affected at all by their caring role. 61% of carers in Wales also feel their physical health has declined due to their role.
According to the report, people caring for a disabled child (81%), those that have childcare responsibilities for a non-disabled child under 18 (80%), and carers struggling to make ends meet financially (80%) were most likely to say their mental health and wellbeing had suffered as a result of providing care.
The support provided by the UK’s unpaid carers is worth an estimated £132 billion per year, which is more than the NHS’s annual budget in England.
Carers UK carries out an annual survey of carers to understand the state of caring in the UK each year. This year a total of 7,397 people shared their experience of what it’s like to be a carer and all the issues they can face in their role.
You can read the report here.