Practicing Self-Care While Caring for a Loved One with Mental Illness

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five adults in the United States lives with a mental illness.

This article by licensed therapist Weena Cullins provides self-care tips for caregivers of people with mental illness. Cullins reminds us that in order to love and care for others, we must first care for ourselves. We can do this by:

• Managing our expectations with those we care for. There are days where our loved ones may not act like themselves. When we recognize this, we won’t take it personal.
• Building community with other caregivers. It can be helpful to have others to vent to or even seek advice from who understand our experience.
• Making time for ourselves. We had to find time for things that we enjoy such as hanging out with friends outside of the caregiving group, binge-watching TV, and sleeping. During moments where caregiving can be overwhelming, this also includes seeking professional help.

If you are someone offering your support, prioritizing yourself may feel selfish, but it’s actually a way to better care for your loved one. You are allowed to have boundaries, say no, and do things that exclusively make you happy.

SOURCE: Essence • AUTHOR: Elizabeth Ayoola • LAST UPDATED: May 16, 2022