Now enrolling for June — two new Day Programs; Creative Pathways Art Therapy & Carer Support Program.
When someone you love is struggling, you feel it too.
Watching someone you care about go through a mental health crisis is one of the hardest things a person can experience. You might feel helpless, frightened, angry, or guilty — often all at once. Those feelings make complete sense. And your wellbeing matters in this too.
What actually helps
- Listen without trying to fix — sometimes being heard is enough
- Encourage them to seek professional support without issuing ultimatums
- Learn about their condition so you can understand what they're experiencing
- Help with practical things — meals, transport, appointments
- Stay connected, even when they push you away
- Avoid minimising what they're going through, even with good intentions
What to Expect During Their Stay
During their admission
When your loved one is admitted to Deakin Private Hospital, their treatment team will focus entirely on their care and recovery. For therapeutic reasons, contact during the early stages of admission may be limited. This can be difficult — but it's an important part of the process. The structure and boundaries of the therapeutic environment are what make treatment effective. Trust the process, even when it's hard.
Visiting
Visiting hours are in place to support your loved one's recovery. Please check our Visiting Hours page for current times. If you have concerns about your loved one during their stay, please speak with the nursing team.
Your wellbeing matters too
Caring for someone with a mental illness is emotionally demanding. It's easy to put your own needs last — but you can't pour from an empty cup. Burnout doesn't help anyone. Consider speaking with your own GP, a counsellor, or a carer support service. You deserve support too.
Useful support for carers
- ARAFMI ACT — support for carers of people with mental illness: arafmi.org.au
- Carer Gateway — national support for carers: carergateway.gov.au | 1800 422 737
- Mental Health Carers Australia: mentalhealthcarers.com.au
- Lifeline — 24/7 crisis support: 13 11 14
When You're Not Sure What to Do
If you're worried about someone's safety, or you're unsure whether they need more support than they're currently receiving, it's okay to reach out to us. Our admissions team can talk through your concerns and help you understand the options — even if the person hasn't yet agreed to seek help.
We're here for the whole family.
Call 02 5114 8100
