Social campaign helps caregivers of youths to care for own mental health

Singapore

STANDING outside the waiting room of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH)'s accident and emergency department, Cheryl Fong waited for her son, who had just suffered a relapse. She noticed other parents like her with the same look in their eyes - a look of hopelessness.

The experience has prompted Fong to share her own mental health struggles with other caregivers - as an encouragement to persevere.

As part of the social campaign "Prepare to Care", Fong will be speaking at a virtual expert panel on Feb 19.

In collaboration with IMH and Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL), "Prepare to Care" hopes to encourage more caregivers to better prepare themselves mentally and normalise help-seeking behaviours.

The campaign is spearheaded by 4 students from Nanyang Technological University's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, as part of their final year project.

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"Prepare to Care" was born out of the realisation that many caregivers of youths continue to suffer in silence, despite increased conversations surrounding mental health in recent years.

Following interviews conducted with caregivers, clinicians and experts in the field, the students found that many caregivers are themselves struggling with depression, suicidal ideation and burnout.

Their research also showed current campaigns often focus on how to better support their child and how to be a better parent, which can lead to greater pressure and guilt.

CAL chief executive officer Tim Lee said many caregivers would sign up for training programmes out of desperation.

"My greatest joy is to hear how they are seeing improvement and changes," he said.

"They are encouraged and motivated by other caregivers' sharing and they have found friends within the class who will journey with them."

The panel session, titled "Caregiving with confidence", will provide insights on topics such as improving communication between the caregiver and their loved ones, coming to terms with medication for their loved ones' mental disorders, the preparation they need to avoid caregiver burnout, and removing guilt and self-blame from their journey.

The virtual panel will be open to the public, and interested participants can register at bit.ly/cwcsg2022.