Lee's Story

People do not always recognise mental health caring. When I tell someone I am a carer, they often assume it means physical tasks — lifting, washing, cooking. But caring for my partner, who lives with bipolar disorder, is mainly about being vigilant. Watching for the signs. Knowing when a good week is tipping into something else.

The hardest part is the unpredictability. We can have months of stability, and then everything shifts. During a manic episode, I barely sleep because I am making sure she is safe. During the lows, I carry the weight of keeping our household running while trying to reach the person I love underneath the depression.

Carers in Luton helped me understand that I was entitled to support in my own right. The emotional wellbeing service gave me coping strategies, and the carers assessment led to regular breaks that stop me from burning out completely.