JUNE 13 to 19 is Carers Week 2011. Organised by a partnership of national charities, the week aims to put the spotlight on the six million people in the UK who support a relative or friend.

An estimated 90,000 of them support someone with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

Research has shown that it is often difficult for these family members to find reliable, up-to-date information about their relative’s diagnosis, treatment and care.

This lack of knowledge can add to the worry and concern they feel, particularly in the early stages of a mental illness, when the symptoms of psychosis can be frightening and overwhelming for both the individual who is experiencing them and their family members.

I am writing to draw your readers’ attention to mentalhealthcare .org.uk, a website for family members and friends of people with psychosis.

The site aims to give family members up to date, evidence-based information about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and other difficulties that include the symptoms of psychosis, to help them in their caring role.

The information on the site has been compiled with the help of researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London and mental health professionals working at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

This month, 40 new short filmed interviews with psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals talking about different aspects of psychosis, treatment and care have been added to the site.

These films have been made with the support of a public engagement grant from the British Psychological Society and include experts in their field giving information or advice in plain English.

ELIZABETH KUIPERS, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London