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Families that care for a family member with mental illness are getting a raw deal and need more support, according to a report released on Wednesday.
Dr Sunny Collings, author of Who Cares for People with Schizoprenia, says the study of a sample of carers shows family carers of people with recent-onset schizophrenia are an important element of care arrangements.
"Caregivers make an enormous contribution, which isn't always recognised," Collings, of Otago University's Wellington campus, says.
"Those who were more positive about their role as a caregiver tended to have good social support, and a range of coping strategies."
Support for carers is most likely to come from friends, spouses, children and siblings, she says.
Coping strategies are developed by trial and error rather than through formal information or training, Collings says.
Maori and Pacific caregivers have low rates of satisfaction with health services, calling into question responsiveness of the mental health system to some groups, she says.
Three-quarters of carers consider they do not get a "fair deal" from society in respect of their role, with half considering the government should shoulder more responsibility.
But generally carers hold the view they enjoy benefits from filling the carer role - particularly those who see the family-care role as natural, Collings says.
Families Commission chief executive Paul Curry says the issues in the report raise an important question about how professionals and family carers can function effectively alongside each other.
"Mental health services in New Zealand have made important advances toward the expressed needs of mental health consumers, yet carers present a more challenging task.
"There is a need to work alongside family carers of those with mental illnesses over the next decade to improve services for all involved," Curry says.
