authentic self-care: caregivers

Authentic Self-Care!

Self-Care for caregivers

By anne-Tillery Melson

Did you know that roughly 1 in 5 U.S. adults identify as caregivers? 27% of those are helping someone with a mental illness, which offers its own unique challenges. November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of caregivers and raise awareness of caregiving issues.

Mental Health America releases a toolkit every year with resources and information to support those who dedicate much of their time to taking care of others. You can check out these resources at mhanational.org/caregiver.

One of the most common challenges caregivers face is not practicing enough self-care, which can have significant effects on mental and physical health. According to MHA's 2021 Caregiver Toolkit, 23% of caregivers report a decrease in their health while caregiving and 36% report high emotional stress.

I spoke with Nancy Masannat, Fredericksburg mom of a nonverbal adult with autism and a certified life coach working with parents of special needs children and adults to have a life reclaimed.

When asked about the barriers parents and other caregivers face to take care of themselves, Masannat shared, "They often will just not make the time for themselves. Caregiving becomes habit and routine - they simply just don't make it a priority."

She further explained that many people believe self-care "has to be big and costly, like getting a massage or mani/pedi." But the reality? It can be small and at home - it just requires being intentional. For Masannat, that means getting up early to have her coffee alone before her son wakes up. Mental Health America suggests other small ways to practice self-care such as going for a walk, spending time in prayer, or talking to a friend.

It may take time until self-care becomes routine for caregivers. Masannat says, "It's about starting small and building the habit. It can start out with stepping outside and stretching for just 5 minutes."

Taking small steps to take care of yourself is important not just for caregivers, but for everyone. But sometimes self-care is not enough. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health challenges, extra support may be necessary. Take a mental health screening at MHAScreening.org or consider seeing a mental health professional.

Mental Health America of Fredericksburg maintains an extensive list of local mental health providers that we call the HELPLINE. We keep track of the services offered in the area, insurances accepted, and new client availability. If you are looking for a local mental health provider or want to learn more about MHAfred's programs, call Mental Health America of Fredericksburg at (540) 3712704 or visit our website at mhafred.org.

Anne-Tillery Melson is the Suicide Prevention Education Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.

Local Mental Health Providers call Mental Health America of Fredericksburg HELPLINE (540) 3712704 or visit our website at mhafred.org.

Mental Health Screening at MHAScreening.org

Caregiver Resources at mhanational.org/caregiver.