Informal carers’ experiences of mental health services regarding supporting those they care for and getting support for their own wellbeing: an umbrella review of qualitative evidence

Background Informal carers play a vital role in supporting individuals with mental health difficulties. Their caregiving contributions are critical but often at the cost of considerable burdens. Despite growing qualitative evidence on carers’ experiences, an overarching synthesis of review-level insights is lacking. Objective This umbrella review aimed to synthesise qualitative review evidence on informal carers’ experiences of mental health services regarding supporting the individuals with mental health difficulties they care for and seeking support for their own wellbeing. Methods Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, a meta-aggregative umbrella review was conducted. Findings were extracted from eligible reviews and aggregated into categories, from which higher-order synthesised findings were developed. Results Twelve eligible qualitative reviews were identified through a systematic search across five databases. Six synthesised findings were identified: (1) emotional complexity in the caregiving journey; (2) recognition and coping with their loved ones’ mental health difficulties; (3) multiple barriers to accessing mental health support; (4) persistent responsibilities and roles in supporting service users; (5) complex experiences of engaging with services; and (6) relational strain during the caregiving process. The findings were rated as high confidence. Conclusion While some carers reported positive experiences, most described exclusion, emotional distress, and structural barriers to support. This review highlights the urgent need for mental health services to recognise, involve, and support informal carers.