Being a young carer can be difficult. There are places you can get support.
Who is a Young Carer?
A young carer is anyone under the age of 18 who looks after or helps to look after another person in their family. For example, this might be a parent or a younger sister or brother who is sick, or who needs additional support due to a health condition or a disability.
Being a Young Carer
Being a young carer can affect you in different ways. You might:
- Feel lonely or isolated from your friends
- Miss school or miss out on school work
- Feel like you are not doing enough
- Feel like you do not have a choice
- Feel tired and exhausted
- Feel sad, angry or not in control
Your rights as a young carer​
You might enjoy caring for people and this might make you feel happy.
Sometimes, however, being a young carer might make you feel under pressure. It is important to remember:
Take a break
You can take a break and look after yourself
Talk
You have the right to talk about your feelings
Get Support
You have the right to get support and to ask for help
Support is available
As a young carer, you might feel like you need support. You are not alone and can always ask for help.Â
Is there an adult you trust who you can talk with about how you feel? Childline is always here to listen.
familycarers.ie
You can also have a look at the support available from an organisation called Family Carers Ireland. You can read more information on their website.Â
These links will open a new window in your browser.
Check these out too:
What to do if you live with parents who are constantly fighting
If you live in a house where your parents are constantly fighting, it can take a huge toll on your mental and emotional wellbeing
How to care for someone who is going through a tough time
It's not easy watching someone you love going through a tough time. Here are a few ways you can be there for them
8 signs of Emotional Manipulation and how to deal with it
Emotional manipulation is not always easy to recognise. It can take many forms so it's good to know the signs to look out for