Balancing Care and Well-Being
Supporting someone with severe mental health conditions is a demanding task that can significantly impact the lives of those involved, especially when the support is informal and provided by family members or friends. The distinction between formal and informal support plays a crucial role in how both the person with the mental health issue and the supporter experience the journey toward recovery.
Formal and Informal Support
Formal support typically involves professionals like therapists, psychologists, social workers, support workers, and psychiatrists who are trained to address mental health issues. They follow evidence-based practices, have access to resources, and can create structured treatment plans. On the other hand, informal support usually comes from family members, friends, or community members. This type of support is often characterized by emotional assistance, practical help, and companionship.
While formal support is essential for the clinical management of severe mental health conditions, informal support can provide an additional layer of care that is more personalized and emotionally connected. However, informal support comes with its challenges, supporters can find themselves improvising as they go along without training or education on how to handle the complexities of mental health care.
Impact on Informal Support Providers
The responsibilities of informal supporters can be overwhelming, especially when they have to balance these duties with their own lives. The role they occupy often expands beyond what they initially anticipated, leading to increased stress, emotional exhaustion, and even burnout. Research by S. Zarit and colleagues, highlights that caregivers of individuals with severe mental health issues are at a higher risk of developing anxiety and depression themselves due to the constant pressure and lack of respite (Zarit et al., 1980).
Moreover, it can be difficult for informal supporters to know when their help is fostering dependency rather than promoting independence. This blurring of boundaries can inadvertently reinforce the very behaviors and dependencies they are trying to mitigate. The line between helping and enabling becomes increasingly difficult to discern. This dynamic can lead to a cycle of dependency where the person receiving support becomes more reliant on the informal supporter, which in turn increases the burden on the supporter.
The Risk of Mental Instability in Supporters
The psychological toll on informal supporters is a growing concern. Studies suggest that the strain of caregiving can lead to mental health issues in supporters themselves. Caregivers of individuals with severe mental health disorders are more likely to experience chronic stress, which can lead to a deterioration of their mental health over time (Pearlin et al., 1990).
This risk is further exacerbated by the isolation that many informal supporters experience. The stigma surrounding mental illness often extends to those who provide care, leading to social withdrawal and a lack of external support. Without access to resources or the opportunity to share their burdens, these individuals may find themselves in a vulnerable position, at risk of developing their own mental health issues.
Strategies for Managing the Challenges
Despite these challenges, there are strategies that can help informal supporters manage their responsibilities while protecting their own mental health. One approach is to seek out community resources, such as support groups for caregivers that give resources and support networks that can provide guidance and relief. These groups allow caregivers to share their experiences, gain new insights, and receive emotional support from others in similar situations.
Additionally, it’s crucial for informal supporters to set boundaries and recognise the limits of their abilities. Professional guidance can help establish these boundaries and create a more balanced dynamic between providing support and fostering independence. Encouraging the person with the mental health issue to engage in activities that promote self-sufficiency, such as attending therapy sessions or participating in community activities, can also help reduce dependency.
Furthermore, accessing professional education and training, even at a basic level, can empower informal supporters with the knowledge and tools they need to provide effective care. Many online courses and workshops are available that offer training in mental health first aid, crisis intervention, and caregiving techniques.
Conclusion
The role of informal support in mental health care is invaluable, but it comes with significant challenges. Informal supporters often find themselves navigating complex responsibilities without adequate training, which can lead to increased dependency and risk to their own mental health. However, by recognizing these challenges, seeking out resources, and establishing clear boundaries, it is possible to provide effective support while maintaining one’s own well-being. It’s essential for informal supporters to remain adaptable, seek help when needed, and prioritize their own mental health as they continue to support their loved ones.
References:
- Zarit, S. H., Reever, K. E., & Bach-Peterson, J. (1980). Relatives of the impaired elderly: Correlates of feelings of burden. The Gerontologist, 20(6), 649-655.
- Pearlin, L. I., Mullan, J. T., Semple, S. J., & Skaff, M. M. (1990). Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures. The Gerontologist, 30(5), 583-594.
Edited by Andrea Boracchia
COPE Centre of Psychological Enrichment
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