Do you care for or support someone who has a mental health condition? How is your own self-care going?

For many of us with loved ones affected by mental health conditions, focusing on supporting them may lead to losing sight of our own wellbeing. We may actually need support for ourselves to make self-care a habit and feel like we have an emotional safety net, so we can lead contented lives and have a positive impact on others.  

Counseling is one option to understand how our caregiver/supporter role is impacting our life and relationships and to make plans to keep ourselves healthy. But it is not the only vehicle to promote self-care.  

International and national advocacy organizations which address broad and specific mental health conditions, as well as their regional/local chapter affiliates, are potential pathways to information and support for families and friends. Many offer a mix of targeted educational materials and online/in-person skills training and peer support forums. Some also offer opportunities to volunteer and/or engage with others with shared situations. Such resources may be available via the internet and/or virtual and in-person forums.

Jumpstarting your Search

Go to Support Resources on our website (under News and Resources) and scroll down to “Family and Friends.” This listing includes a range of related advocacy organizations and resources they offer (as listed on their websites when the information was compiled for this article in the fall of 2022). While it is far from all inclusive of such organizations or of mental health issues, it’s a start. May it help jumpstart your self-care efforts.

Let the Mindful Counseling Center know of other related support resources you have found helpful! Thanks.

Article by Kristin Littel