How can I take care of myself?
Having a child or young person with mental health challenges can take a toll on you as a parent or caregiver. To provide the best support for your children, it’s essential that you care for yourself too. Here are some suggestions on concrete things you can try.
- Care for yourself. Self-care is essential, since taking care of yourself helps you to be there for your children. Try to spend time with people who are important to you, maintain a healthy diet and even a small exercise routine (e.g., walking each day), along with meditation or spiritual practice to help you stay centered and well. Even taking 5 to 15 minutes to yourself each day can be helpful, and helps you be able to respond rather than react to your children.
- Access respite care. As a parent or caregiver of a child or young person with a mental health challenge, you may benefit from taking a break and having someone else support your children for a short period of time. Try to tap into family members or friends who might be able to step in and help you in this way. There are government-funded options, however, it’s important to note that these require some work to access and have eligibility requirements that may not fit your family.
- Look for peer support. At Parents for Children’s Mental Health, we know how hard it is to find people who can relate to some of the unique challenges faced by parents and caregivers of children who struggle with mental health challenges. Our extensive network of peer support groups can help you find and join a chapter close to home.
It can be difficult for a sibling to live with a child or young person who struggles with mental health challenges, and acknowledging this is important. It can also be challenging for parents or caregivers to provide the right help to each child in the right way and at the right time. Through these experiences, the entire family can develop and hone strengths like compassion, empathy, and flexibility—all of which are important for future life.