Steve’s Caregiver Story: It’s Important to Know You’re Not Alone
Steve shares insights and tips learned while caring for his brother, who suffered from schizophrenia.
If you think someone may harm themselves, you, or someone else, call 911 or the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline immediately. Advise the operator that the call is a mental health and/or addiction emergency.
The reality of caregiving for someone with mental illness and/or addictions can be complex. Mental health issues can come with stigma, and lengthy wait-times for specialized services.
For caregivers, this reality can create challenges to find the support you need.
Steps you can take right now:
Explore our resources below to find community support, peer groups and more.
Embrace Caregiver – A resource hub for caregivers of mental illness and/or addictions.
Health Connect Ontario – Free phone support with a registered nurse.
Institute for Advancement in Mental Health – Find free one-to-one support along with customized information for caregivers.
CAMH – Get help and medical intervention for people suffering from mental health or addictions.
Pleo – Find free family peer support for caregiver parents.
Roadmap to Caregiving: The Realities of Mental Health & Addiction – OCO’s eLearning library offers a self-directed course to help caregivers navigate the unique challenges that come with supporting someone with a mental illness of addiction.
Mood Disorders Association of Ontario – Find free presentations and other support for families dealing with mental health and addictions issues.
National Alliance on Mental Illness – Attend free courses designed to help family members support the people they’re caring for and maintain personal wellbeing.
Sashbear Foundation – Free education, training, and support for people who are in a relationship with someone who has emotion dysregulation or related problems.
Adult Children of Alcoholics – Find support groups for adults who grew up experiencing alcohol related addictions at home.
Al-Anon/Alateen – Find a support group for family members of someone with an alcohol addiction.
Families for Addiction Recovery – Get free phone support for families affected by addictions.
Nar-Anon – Find a support group for family members of someone who has a substance use disorder.
A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders – A guide for family members of a person with concurrent disorders.
Dual Diagnosis: An Information Guide – Find basic information about dual diagnosis along with services and supports available in Ontario.
Steve
Caring for: Brother
Steve shares insights and tips learned while caring for his brother, who suffered from schizophrenia.
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