Caring for a loved one – whether you’re a single parent, supporting your own parents, or both – can be a daunting task. The emotional stress, lack of self-care time, and finding the resources it takes to care for those you love can lead to mental health complications. As we approach the holiday season, it’s especially important to be mindful of your own health and wellness.
“The holidays can be stressful for everyone, but we especially see call volumes rise around this time of year for caretakers of people with a mental health diagnosis,” says DeAnna Hall, Coordinator of MHAOhio’s Family Advocate Program. “During the holiday season, it is really hard for them to set those needed boundaries and get the time they need for themselves.”
According to screening data from Mental Health America national, 46 percent of parents caring for a child said that they were taking a screen because of the stress of caregiving, and fathers who were experiencing moderate-to-severe symptoms of a mental health condition were much less likely than mothers to have received previous mental health support than. “Sandwich generation” caregivers (those caring for their children and their parents) were more likely to screen at risk of a mental health condition than the general caregiving population.
“Caregivers are often forgotten and many times believe they have no one to talk to about it,” DeAnna explains. In response to this need, MHAOhio launched the Family Advocateprogram in 2019. Volunteer peers help loved ones of those with mental illness find affordable and accessible care options, understand the legal boundaries of caring for someone with mental illness, and learn how to care for their own needs during times of stress.
“Our volunteers really drive home the importance of boundary setting and how to reset their expectations for the holiday season, making sure their needs are being taken care of,” DeAnna says. “Our motto in the Family Advocate Program is ‘never worry alone.’”
If you or a loved one is struggling, it is okay. Knowing what resources are available to you is the first step in seeking support. In addition to its Family Advocate volunteers, In addition to its Family Advocate volunteers, MHAOhio offers several services to individuals and their families at no cost, including
- Get Connected helping individuals navigate the mental health care system by offering referrals, education, and local resources
- POEM supporting pregnant and parenting people, including peer support groups, education on pregnancy and postpartum depression (PPD) and related mood/anxiety disorders, and information and referrals to appropriate resources in the area
- Pro Bono Counseling Program linking volunteer mental health professionals with those who need but cannot afford mental health counseling
- Support Groups offering safe and validating spaces led by trained facilitators for people experiencing various mental health challenges, as well as groups for their families and loved ones
To support caregivers and the MHAOhio programs that serve them, please donate to MHAOhio at www.mhaohio.org/donate. We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season!
