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Are you a young carer?

A young carer will probably have feelings of love towards the person they are caring for but it is normal to experience the feelings mentioned below.

It may be that a carer has extra responsibilities and worries which other friends don't have. Or they may have more pressure on their time - so they have to go home rather than hang out with mates.

Young carers can find it difficult to talk about the feelings that come up when they are in this situation of looking after another - they may think that others are going to try and interfere, or they would be letting down the family by talking with someone else.

Looking after someone else can be very difficult. For example, you may have to look after a parent or a relative who has difficulties looking after themselves - perhaps they have mental health problems or a disability.

As a result of being a young carer - young people can feel stress and anxiety - this itself could result in depression or other mental health problems - it may also relate to lack of concentration at school, or feeling tired when you need to feel alert.

Whatever the situation it is important that you have your own needs met (a measure of self esteem is valuing yourself to get support when you need it)... recognise those needs and have good, reliable support and someone to talk to. There are places where you can go who are there to help you.

Did you know...  There are an estimated 50,00 young carers in the UK.

   1.  Find out more about how young carers can be supported.

  Young  Carers