Young Carers Deserve a Break: Prioritising Mental Health and Wellbeing

Young Carer’s Action Day 2025 took place with young carers and local carer organisations coming together at the Scottish Parliament to highlight the importance of young carers' right to a break. 
Young carers wanted to know how they would get a break in life, whether in education, university or employment settings. 

...It was also a good opportunity to highlight the mental health and wellbeing gap that exists for young carers, and give them the chance they need to pursue a meaningful life out with their caring responsibilities. 

Ultimately, getting a break in life also means feeling like you have the capacity and means to pursue it, and you can’t do that if your mental health is suffering. 

We know that across all age ranges, unpaid carers report that the number one outcome from their caring was the impact caring had on their wellbeing (86%). We also know that young carers are significantly more likely to report severe psychological distress then their peers without a caring role. 

That’s because the responsibility of caring for a family member with a disability, chronic illness, mental health condition, or substance misuse issue at a young age can be intense. The constant pressure to manage these responsibilities can be overwhelming, leaving little time for self-care or social activities so vital to the experience of being young.  

Alongside robust statutory, social care and community services to alleviate this pressure, young carers need mental health support and ‘time out’. Time to rest, recharge and focus on themselves – be it for a hobby, or just spending time with friends. 

“Being a young carer can make you feel invisible. Finding the time for hobbies or socialising is basically impossible.” Young carer 

It’s unsurprising that young carers feel this way. We know that mental health issues are soaring in Scotland, with self-reported conditions doubling since 2011. More young people than ever (and young carers) are seeking help with anxiety, additional support for learning needs or suspected neurodivergence. For some young carers it will be the case that they are juggling their own mental health needs whilst balancing schoolwork and unpaid care. 

Being a young carer of course means a range of different emotions, from guilt and worry to frustration and sadness – it can demand high levels of emotional awareness at a young age. They might feel guilty for wanting time for themselves or for resenting their caregiving duties. Heavy workloads have the capacity to lead to stress, anxiety, depression and social isolation.  

The stark reality is that these emotions, if not addressed, can lead to longer-term mental health issues without appropriate and timely intervention. 

It doesn’t have to be this way, and key to changing the dial on young carers mental health will mean ensuring system level change. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. 

Governments should take urgent action to reduce waiting list times for mental health support for children (and adults) in recognition of long-standing evidence recognising early intervention as a sensible public policy investment. 

This goes hand in hand with action to ensure that mental health, community and GP services can identify young carers and access robust support, alongside services where they can connect with their peers. 

Educational settings also have a clear role – schools, colleges and even early years settings need to be aware of the mental health challenges young carers face, and signpost and support appropriately to provide safe and supportive environments. 

Ultimately, of course, mental health is everyone’s business.  

We all have a role to play in making sure that no young carer feels alone through spotting the signs that a young carer is struggling and taking the opportunities to support them emotionally - and give them the break they need. 

Young carers deserve the right support to look after their mental health and take a break. By improving access to mental health services. Ensuring schools, communities can identify and support young carers, and creating opportunities for them to recharge, we can make a real difference. Together, we can help young carers feel seen, supported and valued. 

This blog was written by Amy Marshall, Mental Health Development Officer at Carers Trust Scotland. Amy works closely with young carers and professionals to ensure that mental health support is embedded in the services they rely on. Her work focuses on raising awareness, advocating for change, and ensuring that young carers have access to the support they need to thrive.