Looking after your own wellbeing

Supporting someone who is struggling can be distressing. This is especially true if that person is in danger of taking their own life, harming themselves or showing signs of mental illness. All people in detention are in an extreme environment, facing the possibility of removal to a country against their will and where they might not think they will be safe.

It’s important for you to make sure you’re okay too. Give yourself time to rest and process what’s happened. Remember that it’s okay to decide that you are no longer able to help someone and to let them know you won’t be contactable for a while.

If you need to talk about how you are feeling, and if you need to take a break from visiting a person, then contact your group’s co-ordinator.

If possible, it can be helpful to help establish your own support network of friends, family, other visitors and community members to help you.

Read more about steps you can consider - as a group and indvidually - to look after yourself in Visitor wellbeing.