80% of young carers in Ireland feel 'high levels' of stress, loneliness and depression

THERE are approximately 67,000 young carers in Ireland, between ages 10-17, with new research revealing that the majority feel ‘high levels’ of stress, depression and loneliness. 

The report was published from collective research done by the University of Limerick (UL), University College Cork (UCC) and Family Carers Ireland. 

Research was carried out on 131 young people who care for their loved ones with physical or intellectual disabilities, chronic illness, mental health issues or substance/alcohol abuse. 

While the majority of the youth carers ‘feel good’ about their role in helping their loved one, it was also found that 80% of young carers surveyed had elevated levels of depressive symptoms, which indicates that whilst there may be some positive benefits to caring, there can also be significant negative impacts.

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Dr Nikki Dunne, Research Manager with Family Carers Ireland, said: “Young carers often don’t identify as carers, instead seeing themselves as a daughter, son, sibling, grandchild or friend. 

“As a result, they are often hidden and subsequently absent in social policy and practice. 

“It also shows how the costs and consequences of caring can be heavy, with some young people taking on high levels of care and experiencing challenges in multiple areas of their lives - if left unsupported, this can have a real impact on their mental health and wellbeing, as well as a long-term scarring effect on their lives,” Dr Dunne added.

“Young carers absolutely need more Government recognition and support to help with their caring responsibilities.”

The young adult carer sample showed that 64% were at risk of depression, in which young carers reported that they had become more anxious and stressed since the pandemic began. 

Dr Carol Kelleher, Institute of Social Science in the 21st Century in UCC said: “They [young carers] largely remain a hidden population. 

“Critically, this means that many do not receive the support from schools, employers, professionals and wider society that they need - we also know that increased long-term caring can negatively impact young carers' experiences of education and employment, as well as their health and wellbeing. 

“Our research, whilst based on a small sample, highlights how we all might better recognise and support young carers in Ireland and the invaluable work that they do."

Family Carers Ireland is now calling on Government to do a number of things to elevate the stress that youth carers face by: improving the identification of young carers, support the transition of young carers to further and higher education and apprenticeships and dedicate funding for young carers to access counselling or psychological support, to name a few.