Minds Under Fire: Jacey’s Story

At 22, Jacey was thrust into caregiving when her 43-year-old father suffered a massive stroke. As his only child, she had no experience and little support.

She found herself in a hospital room, trying to make sense of medical jargon and life-changing decisions. For days on end, she sat by her dad’s bedside, hoping for signs of improvement and trying to stay strong. Finally, she felt like she’d reached a mental breaking point.

“I don’t know what to do,” she said. “I’m scared and feel completely alone.”

Maybe you can relate Jacey’s situation. What can she do?

Family Caregiving and Your Mental Health

In case you haven’t heard, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s a good time to shine a light on the quiet struggles so many family caregivers face. If you’ve ever felt anxious, tired, or alone in your caregiving role, you’re not the only one.

Whether you’re helping an aging parent, a spouse with dementia, or a child with special needs, the emotional weight of caregiving can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression. But the good news is this: There are simple, life-affirming ways to care for your mental health.

In this post, we’ll walk through how caregiving can affect your mental health and five supportive things you can do to protect your peace of mind.

Feeling a little stressed right now? Check your anxiety level.

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How Caregiving Impacts Mental Health

Caring for someone you love often brings both joy and heartache. Here’s how caregiving can affect your mental health over time:

1. Increased Stress and Anxiety

Caregivers often juggle medications, appointments, financial concerns, and more on top of their own family and work responsibilities. This constant pressure can lead to high levels of stress and caregiver anxiety.

2. Sleep Problems

You might be up in the night helping your loved one, or lying awake with worry. Little sleep or poor sleep quality can weaken your immune system and make mental health symptoms worse.

3. Depression and Isolation

Many caregivers report feeling lonely or cut off from friends. If you’re always putting others first, you can lose touch with the things and people that once brought you joy.

4. Guilt and Shame

You may feel guilty for feeling tired, resentful or ashamed for needing a break. But these emotions are normal and human.

5. Burnout

When mental and physical exhaustion reach a peak, it’s called caregiver burnout. You might feel numb, angry, or like you’re running on empty.

It’s not hard to make a case for stronger mental health support for caregivers.

5 Ways to Care for Your Mental Health as a Family Caregiver

Here are five simple, effective ways to care for your mental and emotional well-being—even if you only have 10 minutes a day.

1. Talk to someone you trust.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is say it out loud. Whether it’s a close friend, a minister, or support group, sharing your feelings helps you feel seen and heard.

Interestingly, a growing body of research suggests many people in mental crisis turn to spirituality and talk to their God.

Let us know in the comments how you manage caregiver stress. Your story might help someone else feel less alone.

2. Give yourself permission to rest.

You deserve rest, not only when everything is done, but because you’re worth it. Try setting a daily “pause point” where you breathe deeply, stretch, or sip a little tea in steeped in silence. These small moments of stillness help reset your nervous system.

Short on time? Even five minutes counts.

3. Spend some time outside every day.

Nature helps soothe stress and lift low moods. Step outside for a walk, sit on the porch, or just feel the sun on your face. If going outside isn’t possible, open a window and look at the sky.

A breath of fresh air can also bring a breath of hope.

4. Use a caregiving planner.

When life feels overwhelming, writing things down can give your mind a break. A caregiver planner helps organize appointments, track meds, and schedule small self-care habits. It brings order to the chaos.

5. Say “Yes” to help and “No” to guilt.

You don’t have to do it all. Accepting help or hiring support doesn’t make you weak. It’s actually a wise reaction to caregiver stress. Let go of the guilt and say yes. Say yes to those angels who show up and offer to provide meals, run errands, or to donate a few hours of respite care to give you a much-needed break.

When to Seek More Support

If you’ve been feeling sad, hopeless, or anxious for weeks, it may be time to talk to a mental health professional. Therapists and counselors can help you process complex emotions and offer real tools for relief.

Also, consider reaching out if you notice:

• You’re crying often or feel numb.
• You have trouble eating or sleeping.
• You’ve lost interest in things you used to enjoy.
• You feel like caregiving is crushing your spirit.

Asking for help is a step toward healing.

Prioritize your mental health as a caregiver.

You might not always feel like it, but pat yourself on the back today. You’re doing an amazing job as a caregiver.

It’s true: You will struggle mentally and emotionally sometimes, but help is out there. Your mental health matters just as much as your loved one’s physical health.

Start by taking just one small step today.

Breathe. Rest. Reach out to someone. You’ve got this.

And you do too, Jacey.