This is what happens to relatives of people with mental illnesses in Switzerland

Mental illnesses are typically discussed publicly from the perspective of those affected. The experiences of family members or confidantes are often forgotten. There are a huge number of people in Switzerland who take on this role. They provide advanced assistance to those affected, thus relieving pressure on the healthcare system.

A new study by the survivor organization “Stand by You Switzerland – relatives and confidantes of people with mental illness” in collaboration with the Sotomo research institute shows the enormous amount of support that family members really provide. Here you can get an overview of the situation in Switzerland.

Are in Switzerland 59 percent of the adult population have already played the role of family members or confidantes of people with a mental illness at some point in their lives. Currently, about half of them in Switzerland – about 2.1 million people – fulfill this role.

We knew them from the ‘Stand by you’ research 90 percent of the participants at least one person suffers or has suffered from mental illness. 73 percent said they knew several people affected.

And you? Do you know people with a mental illness?

The survey asked participants to describe their most formative experience with a loved one with a mental illness. Most respondents (52 percent) stated that they had experience with it affected person in the family circle to have. In 23 percent of participants, the person with a mental illness was a parent.

48 percent of those surveyed have already had an affected person normal conversations and Help with daily tasks supports. Nearly half of them, 23 percent, are currently providing assistance.

Are you currently supporting a person with a mental illness?

According to the survey 36 percent as a child I witnessed a family member suffering from mental illness. Moreover, three out of four people stated that they suffered from mental health conditions of the people. Extrapolated to the Swiss population this means approx 1.9 million adults as well as children has suffered from the mental illness of a family member.

The services of relatives and confidantes are considered extremely important by those affected. This is also evident from the ‘Stand by you’ research. 96 percent of people with mental illness felt that help from family members and confidantes was important.

Nearly two-thirds of people with mental illness said that without the support of those around them, they would have had to seek more professional help.

68 percent of the relatives and confidants of those affected for at least one year supports. In fact, for almost a third of those who supported, the assistance lasted for a period of time more than five years. It can be concluded that those who provide assistance significantly reduce the pressure on the healthcare system in Switzerland.

It is not uncommon for the mental illnesses of those affected to have a negative impact on those around them. 73 percent of participants who had already provided support to those affected felt this role as psychologically stressful.

Of the relatives and confidants, 66 percent say they are worried or afraid about the affected person, 50 percent feel sad and only 7 percent experience little or no discomfort from the situation. 37 percent of people who worry about those affected also fear for the lives of those affected.

The longer family members or confidantes support someone from his social environment, the more often this situation evokes negative feelings. In addition to the psychological stress that family members and confidantes experience as a result of their support, their performance can also negatively affect other areas of life. All around 40 percent of people who provided support to those affected for more than five years found it difficult to combine support with their own work. Extrapolated, this will affect approx 900,000 people in Switzerland.

The good news: most family members know a person or organization they can turn to if the situation becomes too much for them because the person is suffering from a mental illness. Would, however not even a quarter of respondents who provide help (23 percent). Help from an organization for family members and confidants. Most would seek help from family or psychological services. This result shows that such organizations and services currently do not exist or are not well known or accessible.

In addition, family members and confidants often feel alienated from society misunderstood and insufficiently supported. 73 percent indicate that society shows too little understanding for surviving relatives and confidants.

Moreover, are 53 percent the surviving relatives and confidants believe so too few specific offers to adequately support the social environment of people with mental illnesses. What is especially desirable is simplified access to information and more opportunities for exchanging experiences.