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.
This may surprise you and your loved ones. The time it takes to withdraw from cocaine use is shorter than you think! In general, acute cocaine withdrawal symptoms might last around 3-4 days.
Discover helpful information, tips and tools for family carers, developed by Family Caregivers of British Columbia.
You can learn a lot in this free online course, including how to address your own feelings, strategies for dealing with a loved one who is experiencing substance use problems, and insight into things you can control.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has a growing number of resources available to support farm families with their mental health. There are more than 10 articles here, with links to learn more.
These recovery stories were written by clients for a project of the Addiction and Mental Health Network of Champlain. They are stories of real hope suitable for patients and caregivers and are also available in a book titled, Out of The Ashes We Rise.
These print-ready information sheets cover the most common conditions as well as more specialized topics like Tic disorders, Problematic video gaming, and Waiting for mental health services.
A positive attitude can lead to less anxiety and depression. Discover eight skills to help you cope with stress, develop a habit of gratitude and cultivate more joy in your life.
Many emotions surface when you take on the job of caregiving. All of your emotions, good and bad, are valid and important. Finding productive ways to express and cope with your feelings can result in a better experience for you and the person you are caring for.
The Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative has the ability to assist families in maintaining a permanent residence, rather than face eviction and homelessness. Find out if your loved one qualifies and how to apply.
Although this guidebook for mental health caregivers is based on the American medical system, the fact sheets address issues that we all face when trying to support loved ones.
Dealing with a mental illness diagnosis can be a difficult process and lead to many questions. Discover the answers to many of the common questions that patients and caregivers ask health care professionals.
Mental health problems are more common than you may think. After you read these facts, you will not feel so alone.
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.
A family member’s perspective on the value of unconditional love.
A family support counsellor provides her perspective on what family caregivers need to know.
A mother describes her journey back from crisis to a balanced family life again.
A parent’s message about the culture shift that’s taking place and making it easier to talk about mental health in the family.
In his TED talk, Dr. Insel describes what he has learned about the effect of mental illness on the brain and suggests it is time to focus on early detection and intervention.
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: