When someone you care about lives with mitochondrial disease (mito), it shapes your world too.
You play an important role in their life. This space is for you to feel seen, supported, and looked after.
When someone you care about lives with mitochondrial disease (mito), it shapes your world too.
You play an important role in their life. This space is for you to feel seen, supported, and looked after.
People say I’m resilient, but I don’t see it that way. My strength comes from those around me, those who choose to show up on the good days, the hard days, and everything in between. You don’t have to walk this path with us, but you do. And that’s where my strength lies.
— Laura, adult with mito, 2025
For me, strength is the quiet courage to keep going. Some days that means showing up, other days it means resting without guilt. There are times I need to cancel plans or ask for help with simple things—and that used to feel like failure. Now I see it as part of resilience. It looks different for everyone, and knowing I’m not alone makes all the difference. The support of others—especially those who just get it—matters more than I can say.
— Kim, adult with mito, 2025
When someone truly listens or just shows up, it gives me the strength I need. On tough days, having my husband beside me, quietly, patiently, helps me feel like I can face whatever comes. He doesn’t need to fix anything. His presence alone reminds me I’m not in this alone.
— Diane, adult with mito, 2025
Am I a carer?
A carer provides unpaid support to a loved one, whether it’s a spouse, parent, child, sibling, friend, or anyone offering help.
Many people don’t see themselves as carers — they’re simply there for the person they care about. But you deserve support, care, and kindness, too. By understanding the available support, you can connect with resources, services, and others who understand the challenges of caring for someone with a chronic illness.
Supporting someone is also about balance and self-care.
There are lots of services that can help with your mental health and wellbeing. Some offer information and tools, others give you a chance to talk to someone. Find the support that’s right for you in our Wellbeing Hub.
As a carer, you may put the other person’s needs before your own. But it’s important to take care of your mental health. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough.
You don’t need to wait until things feel too hard. Support can start at any time.
Things that might help
Staying in touch with friends, family, or other carers.
Make time for small things you enjoy — reading, or a short walk.
Rest when you can; fatigue and burnout are real.
Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust.
Let others help when it’s offered, or ask for help when you need it.
Staying in touch with friends, family, or other carers.
Make time for small things you enjoy — reading, or a short walk.
Rest when you can; fatigue and burnout are real.
Share how you’re feeling with someone you trust.
Let others help when it’s offered, or ask for help when you need it.
When to get help
It’s okay to ask for help when things feel tough. Talking to a health professional can help you manage your feelings and find solutions that work for you.
Some signs you may need extra support:
- feeling sad or worried most of the time
- getting easily confused and annoyed
- not talking to family and friends
- not enjoying the things you used to do
- changes in how you feel or sleep
- finding it hard to think clearly and concentrate
- thinking about hurting yourself or others.
Supporting someone with mito
Being there for someone with mito, whether they’re an adult or a child, can make a real difference. You don’t need to have all the answers. Often, just listening with compassion is enough. This means letting the person share how they’re feeling without jumping in to fix things or compare. A quiet moment of understanding can go a long way.
Carers NSW provides a range of resources to assist carers in navigating these challenges. Their materials offer practical advice on caring for someone living with a chronic condition. Learn more on Carers NSW.
Here are a few ways you can offer support:
- Listen without judgement. Let them talk when they’re ready. Just being present matters.
- Help with daily tasks. Things like cooking, transport, or organising appointments can ease pressure.
- Celebrate small wins. Notice the effort it takes to get through the day and reflect it back to them.
- Stay flexible. Energy levels can change quickly, so go with the flow when plans shift.
- Include them. Help children or adults with mito stay connected to friends, school, work, or hobbies in a way that works for them.
ClearlyMe is a free app for teens aged 12–17 who are feeling low, stressed, or overwhelmed. It offers short, easy activities to help manage thoughts and feelings anytime, anywhere.​
Black Dog Institute offers a range of free, evidence-based tools and resources to help you support your child's mental health.
Support for those who care for others
Carers Australia is the national group that supports people who care for others. Each state and territory also has its own carer organisation with local help and services.
Find your state or territory below to get support near you.
Need support now?
You can find support straight away from the services listed on this page. If you or someone with you is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Lifeline
For all ages | Always open
Lifeline offers free, confidential support. You can speak to a trained crisis supporter over the phone, any time of the day or night.
13YARN
For all ages | Always open
A free and confidential crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, offering culturally safe support from trained crisis supporters.
Kids Helpline
For young people | Always open
A free, confidential phone counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25. Call anytime to speak with a qualified counsellor about anything on your mind.
More services to support you.
There are many services available to support you. You can use the search tool to explore your options and find the support that suits you.
It’s okay to take your time. There’s no right way to do this. Start with one thing that feels useful to you, and come back when you're ready.
Suicide Call Back Service
Crisis support
Always open
Australia-wide
Adults
Free, nationwide phone counselling. No referral is needed.
Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) - Metro area
Crisis support
Always open
WA
Adults
A 24-hour telephone service for people in the Perth metropolitan area experiencing a mental health crisis.
Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) - Peel area
Crisis support
Always open
WA
Adults
A 24-hour telephone service for people in the Peel region (WA) experiencing a mental health crisis.
Lifeline
Text support
Always open
Australia-wide
All ages
Confidential one-to-one text with a trained Lifeline Crisis Supporter.
Lifeline
Online chat support
Always open
Australia-wide
All ages
Lifeline's support service is confidential and avaliable to anyone in Australia.
Mental Health Line
Crisis support
Always open
NSW
Adults
A 24-hour telephone service for people in NSW experiencing a mental health crisis.
Mental Health Services Helpline
Crisis support
Always open
TAS
Adults
A 24-hour telephone service for people in Tasmania experiencing a mental health crisis.
Mental Health Triage Service
Crisis support
Always open
ACT
Adults
A 24-hour telephone service for people in ACT experiencing a mental health crisis.
Mental Health Triage Service
Crisis support
Always open
SA
Adults
A 24-hour telephone service for people in SA experiencing a mental health crisis.
Suicide Help Line
Crisis support
Always open
VIC
Adults
A 24-hour telephone service for people in Victoria experiencing a mental health crisis.
Top End Mental Health Service
Crisis support
Always open
NT
Adults
A 24-hour telephone service for people in NT experiencing a mental health crisis.
Suicide Call Back Service
Online chat support
Always open
Australia-wide
Adults
Free, nationwide online chat counselling. No referral is needed.
Helpful resources
​Disclaimer: Resources provided by the Australian Mitochondrial Disease Foundation Limited (Mito Foundation), offers general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. It is essential to assess the suitability of the content for your individual circumstances and make decisions based on your medical condition. The information's accuracy is subject to change, and we do not guarantee ongoing currency or availability. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, Mito Foundation is not obligated to provide updated information. The copyright for this document and its content belongs to, or is licensed to, Mito Foundation, and reproduction without prior written consent is prohibited.​
Acknowledgement: Mito Foundation acknowledges the valuable contributions of our reviewers, we thank Diane Cass (Accredited Mental Health Social Worker) and Shelley Beverley (Registered Psychologist) for their review. As well as Dan and Kim members of the mito community resource review panel.
Author: Mito Foundation
Version: 1
Date published: ​Monday 30 June 2025
