We use the term family caregiver to refer to any family member, friend, colleague or neighbour who provides caregiving support, even if you are not a relative, spouse or partner. Caregiving includes personal, social, psychological and physical support for a loved one in need of assistance.
Helping a loved one when the problem is addiction or mental illness requires close contact, intimate knowledge of the situation, and a deep level of trust.
Sharing stories will help you to recognize how far you have already come, and where you may want to focus the next part of your journey.
Family support groups are for relatives and friends dealing with a loved one who has a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, post-traumatic stress or borderline personality disorder. Even if your loved one is without a diagnosis, group meetings can be a helpful way to learn […]
For my wife Terry and I, the holiday weekend in August of 2004 was probably the saddest one of our lives. Our son had had a very rough year at university in New Brunswick. His grades had nosedived, and campus life was increasingly a struggle. He had been treated for depression since he was ten. [...]
Before I begin this story, it will help if I tell you a little about where I come from; my family, my childhood, my heritage. I was born in Cornwall, Ontario on Nov 30th. My mom was of English descent and my dad was French Canadian. I have an irreplaceable sister who is five years [...]
Our trips to the hospital emergency room began when our daughter was experiencing severe stomach pain and vomiting, at age 12. It took more than a year for her doctors to eliminate the usual suspects. She had not eaten bad food. There were no signs of infection. No parasites. And she was not in it [...]
Learn more in The Change Foundation report, Stories Shared, Voices Heard: Ontario’s Family Caregivers.
Three family caregivers talk about their experience of seeking support for themselves.
The reality of caregiving for a loved one with mental illness and the power of family peer support.
Meagan and her parents share their feelings about her opiate use.
A mother explains the effect of addiction on the family and offers some advice to help other families.
NEXT: Navigating the Health System
Improving the experience of family caregivers in the addiction and mental health system across Cornwall, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry and Akwesasne, Ontario.
Project partners: