Male Carers: Husband, Partner, Dad, Son, Carer?

More than four in ten (42%) of the UK’s unpaid carers are male.  The report ‘Husband, Partner, Dad, Son, Carer?’ looks into the experiences and needs of male carers, in order to raise awareness of the fact that they may not be getting the support that they need.  The Carers Trust and the Men’s Health Forum in England and Wales carried out a survey of male carers at the start of 2014.  609 male carers from across the UK took part.  The report found that: more than one in four male carers in employment would not describe or acknowledge themselves as a carer to others - meaning they may not get the support they need at work; over half of the male carers surveyed felt that the needs of male carers were different to those of female carers - many citing that men find it harder to ask for help and support, and that balancing work and caring is challenging, particularly if they are the main earner; one quarter of men surveyed cared for more than 60 hours per week and worked; four in ten male carers said that they never had a break from their caring role; 56% of male carers aged 18-64 said being a carer had a negative impact on their mental health, and 55% said that their health was ‘fair or poor’.  For a copy of the report, visit: www.menshealthforum.org.uk/male-carers-husband-partner-dad-son-carer