Connecting The Dots For Caregivers
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Caregivers

MentalHealth.png Mental Health & Addictions

There are many services that can support the person you are caring for if they are experiencing mental health or addictions challenges. Being a caregiver is a difficult job and it can take a toll on your own mental health. Caregivers often feel mentally and physically exhausted. Unfortunately, many caregivers don’t seek help until they are close to burnout. As a caregiver, it is important to take care of your own needs, including mental health, in order to take care of others.

 

A Caregiver's Perspective


My friend has been battling an eating disorder since we were in high school together. I have been supporting her through that journey since we were 15 years old. Recently she has also been diagnosed with anxiety disorder and depression. I have a family of my own, and am busy with the day to day activities of raising children. However, I feel a continued responsibility to also provide support to my friend. This includes being available 24 hours a day to talk to her and going to appointments with her when needed. I love supporting my friend, and value our friendship, but I was getting overwhelmed and burnt out trying to balance it all. I spoke to my healthcare provider and found supports in the community that can help my friend. I also found supports that I can access for my own mental health needs as I continue on this journey with her.
 

Tips for Caregivers by Caregivers


• You are not alone.

• Sometimes you get so busy in the day to day you do not realize how much you are struggling. Reach out to those around you for help.

 

Click on the links below to find out what mental health and addictions resources are available to assist you in your caregiving role.
  • Alcohol and Drug Addiction Assessment and Treatment
    Alcohol and drug programs that provide therapy and mutual support for people who have a substance use disorder. These services help them better understand their dependency and support their efforts to recover.
  • Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
    Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions, such as thinking, remembering and reasoning, of sufficient severity to interfere with a person's daily functioning. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a group of symptoms that may ...
  • Community Mental Health Programs
    Community mental health programs provide a variety of services to help support people who have ongoing mental health issues living in the community. Services offered include information and referral, case management, housing supports, ...
  • Counselling - Family, Couple, Individual
    Counselling aims at assisting people to understand and overcome or manage personal problems, such as difficulties in relationships, anger, conflict, trauma, and abuse.
  • Eating Disorders
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
  • Mental Health Courts and Diversion Programs
    Court supports, case management, and system navigation services help people who are in conflict with the law as a result of mental illness. For minor offenses, mental health diversion agreements provide voluntary alternatives to the court ...
  • Mental Health Crisis Lines
    Phone or online services offering immediate assistance to people who feel frightened or unable to cope.
  • Mental Health for People with Developmental Disabilities
    Programs and services for people with developmental disabilities who are experiencing challenges with their emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
  • Mental Health Hospital Programs
    Hospital programs provide support and treatment for individuals of all ages who have acute or chronic mental or emotional disturbances. Services may be provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
  • Mental Health Peer and Family Programs
    Programs and services in this category focus on providing support to people who provide care and support to a family member or loved one with a mental illness. Support may include peer support groups, educational resources, case management ...
  • Mood and Anxiety Disorders
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by mood or anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, bipolar disorders (manic depression), and states of ...
  • Opioid Agonist Therapy
    Medical treatment that uses prescribed medications, such as methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone), to help people manage opioid use disorder by preventing withdrawal and reducing cravings. This therapy can be provided by doctors, ...
  • Postpartum Depression
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by postpartum depression.
  • Psychosis
    People with psychosis may experience personality changes, hallucinations, false beliefs, or impaired insight. This condition can be caused by disease, injury, substance use, or mental illness.
  • Recreational and Social Programs for People with Mental Illness
    Programs providing recreational and social activities for people with mental illness.
  • Schizophrenia
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by schizophrenia.
  • Suicide
    Services or programs that address suicide prevention, or provide treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by suicide.