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Thanks for all replies but particularly from floating feather, Much of what you said is indeed similar to my situation. When my son first became mentally unwell, at aged 18, I did access support for myself, via local mental health team and psychologist. I also was prescribed meds myself and have been on and off such meds ever since. It all definitely helped. My son’s “ relapse” 18 or so months back, that’s more or less ongoing ,highlighted that today it is harder to access help. ( probably partly Covid related.) He had so much difficulty that I have assumed it would be even harder for me,… my experience with ringing help lines for him was to receive advice like contact this or that service, all of which I had already done to no avail. I have spoken to my current GP who suggested I find a mental health professional for myself and when I had done so she would write a referral. I haven’t tried to find one because my son had to wait 5 months to get an appointment with the psychologist he had seen before and trusted. I couldn’t face the process of trying to find one and the wait for an appointment. However it is really good to know there is a Sane number I can access if I need. I have one particularly good friend in another Australian State to confide in and that is a help. Although there are local people I catch up with who are aware and offer sympathy I don’t feel I could talk to any of them when I am really in a low mood. I don’t know anyone who has as few connections ( re family) as I do and thus they have much too much going on in their lives anyway. As you are aware the difficulty is staying on an even keel when my son is in distress. On his better days it’s much easier to be upbeat. It’s good to share anyway so thanks again. AnnaD