By Donella Delija ’26
Are you aware of how much pressure mental health caregivers are under? According to the article “Caring for someone with mental illness,” the Better Health Channel states, “Being a carer for someone with a mental illness can be emotionally and physically demanding. Sometimes the burden can become too much” (Caring for someone with mental illness”). Being a caregiver for someone with a mental health illness can affect you in many negative ways. It can consume your time and life without leaving you to deal with your own worries. You should be cautious of your physical and mental health while also caring for someone with a mental health illness. You can develop a connection with the person to make it easier for you.
Caring for a family member with a mental health illness can be overwhelming and affect your life negatively. In the article “Living with a person suffering from mental disorder,” the Quebec government site declares, “Mental illness does not only affect those who have it. It can also disrupt the daily lives of their family members and loved ones” (“Caring for someone with mental illness”). This shows that being a caregiver to someone with a mental illness, especially ones close to you, can consume your life and put a lot of stress onto you. It is not a light or easy job. It can also worry you for your loved one. There are so many negative aspects and drawbacks of this job, but it is not always the case. In most cases, people are able to cooperate with their patient or their loved one, which makes it easier nine times out of ten.
You can make your job as a caregiver easier by making an effort to create a bond or connection with this person and their family, making an effort to understand them, providing them any professional help, etc. Caregivers who already have a connection with the patient beforehand have an advantage. In the article “For Friends and Family Members” the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration implies, “Talking to friends and family about mental health problems can be an opportunity to provide information, support, and guidance. If a friend or family member is showing signs of a mental health problem or reaching out to you for help, offer support by reassuring your friend or family member that you care about them, asking questions, listening to ideas, and being responsive when the topic of mental health problems come up, etc.” This shows how you can initiate a bond and connection with your patient, and how you can get them to trust you as a person and as someone that can give them the help they need. If you are unable to do this yourself, you can also get someone who specializes to help. In the article “For Friends and Family Members” the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration addresses, “Anyone can experience mental health problems. Friends and family can make all the difference in a person’s recovery process. You can help your friend or family member by recognizing the signs of mental health problems and connecting them to professional help” (“For Friends and Family Members”). This shows that there are many options and ways you can approach these types of situations. If you are someone who is unable to take care of a person other than yourself for any reason, there is aid provided by professionals. This can also make a big difference for the person and can help them drastically.
Although it may be hard to take care of someone with a mental illness, it can be a big help to them and their well-being. In the article “Caring for someone with a mental problem” the Mind Charity Organization assures, “Caring for someone with a mental health condition is hard. The invisibility of the illness can make it feel like you’re not a ‘real’ carer. Trust me: you are. And you’re making a huge difference to someone’s life” (“Caring for someone with a mental problem). This shows that there is awareness and reassurance that you are being a big help to someone even though it may be difficult. As much or as little as you are helping someone, you are still making an effort and making a difference. At the end of the day, a little goes a long way. Caregivers make such an effort to make progress, even if it takes time.
Being a caregiver for someone with a mental health illness can affect you in many negative ways. It can consume your time and life, without leaving you to deal with your own worries. You should be cautious of your physical and mental health while also caring for someone with a mental health illness. You can develop a connection with the person to make it easier for you. However, you are doing more than you know. Caregivers have so much going on and stuff to worry about while doing this. Some even have to do it as their daily lifestyle, not by choice, not getting paid. They should all be appreciated, as they go through so much to help these people and be there for them and their families. The help you offer matters.
Works Cited
“Caring for someone with a mental health problem.” Mind, https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/supporting-someone-with-a-mental-health-problem/. Accessed 29 April 2024.
“Caring for someone with mental illness.” Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/caring-for-someone-with-mental-illness. Accessed 29 April 2024.
“For Friends and Family Members.” SAMHSA, 24 April 2023, https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/how-to-talk/friends-and-family-members. Accessed 29 April 2024.
“Living with a person suffering from mental disorder.” Gouvernement du Québec, 13 December 2021, https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/mental-health/learn-about-mental-health-and-mental-illnesses/living-with-person-mental-illness. Accessed 29 April 2024.
“Mental health conditions – family and friends.” Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/mental-illness-family-and-friends. Accessed 29 April 2024.
Schulz, Richard. “Physical and Mental Health Effects of Family Caregiving.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2791523/. Accessed 29 April 2024.
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