Who’s on Your Support Team?
Take a moment and think about those people in your life that you can truly rely on, who are always there when you need them. These are your social supports, and they might be anybody – family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, or community members.
For me, I’m blessed to have a strong team of support. It begins with my strong partner in life – my love for 35 years – plus two of the most wonderful sisters (and first friends) that anyone could ask for, as well as many family members and friends who have stuck by me in good days and bad. They held my hand in the darkness when there were no words, gave me strength when I felt weak, and shared my joy during the good times.
And, over the past couple of years, as we have built Courage to Caregivers together, my support group has grown significantly to include board members, volunteers and new colleagues. Probably more often than they know, they have helped keep things afloat when I've felt that I lost my way (or when I’ve just taken a wrong turn in the maze).
For you, Courage to Caregivers is all about helping you expand your support team. Each week, our groups have a discussion topic, and this week the topic is how to improve our social support networks. Here are some tips:
Don’t be afraid to take social risks. Meet new people, try new activities, be open to new experiences.
Be specific with your supporters. If someone asks how they can help, give them a specific task to do. But also be careful that you don’t overwhelm them.
Walk away from toxic relationships. If someone in your life is draining the energy from you, this might not be the right time for that relationship.
Be patient. It takes time to develop strong, caring relationships with new people. If you rely too heavily on someone new, you may scare them away.
Nurture the social supporters in your circle. Nothing can encourage continued support more than feeling appreciated. Say thank you, often, and mean it!
We all know that providing support to someone we love who has mental illness can be hard. Why make it even harder by trying to do it alone? With Courage to Caregivers, you're never alone.