Created in partnership with Carers Trust Scotland, Change Mental Health has launched an updated resource, A Menu of Questions for Carers, a free and practical guide designed to support unpaid carers as they navigate mental health services alongside the person they care for.

Originally developed in partnership in 2019 and revamped for 2025, ‘A Menu of Questions for Carers’ is being shared throughout Carers Week and will be made available digitally and through Change Mental Health and Carers Trust Scotland networks and hubs.

As mental health needs across Scotland continue to rise, so too does the number of unpaid carers, now estimated at over 700,000. Many are caring for someone with a mental health condition while struggling with their own wellbeing. Carers Trust Scotland research shows that 45% of carers feel they do not receive adequate support, with 41% reporting an increase in their caring responsibilities over the past year.

Carers often feel invisible in mental health settings, unheard and unsure of what they’re entitled to ask. ‘A Menu of Questions for Carers’ is designed to change that, helping carers to speak up during appointments, care planning meetings and crisis responses. It includes clear prompts around topics like mental health support, respite, financial concerns and carers’ rights to be informed about the treatment and care of the person they support. 

This isn’t a script but rather a conversation starter. The menu is flexible, accessible and easy to use in real-world settings, including GP appointments, hospital visits and community mental health reviews. It empowers carers to advocate for themselves and be recognised as key partners in care. 

The updated menu will be distributed to over 29 local carer centres associated with Carers Trust Scotland and Change Mental Health services across the country, including our Carer Support services based in Highland, Fife, Tayside, Dumfries & Galloway and Edinburgh. Both charities will also work closely with organisations in Scotland to ensure that all carers have access to this important piece of literature.

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Amy Marshall, Mental Health Development Officer at Carers Trust Scotland, said: 

“We are proud to relaunch our ‘A Menu of Questions for Carers’ in partnership with Change Mental Health, strengthening our shared commitment to making real, lasting change for mental health carers.

“Carers deserve practical, flexible tools that fit the realities of their lives. This relaunch is about more than just resources; it’s about opening up meaningful conversations between carers, the people they support and service providers, and ensuring their voices are heard, included and championed.”