In 2024, Global Genes partnered with Brad Thompson, M.A., NCC, LPC-S to host a caregivers support program aimed at helping caregivers develop practical, easily accessible tools and resources to take care of themselves and their mental health. The program ran from April-September 2024. As a follow-up, we’ve asked participants to share 1) Their experience with mental health and well-being programs for caregivers prior to participating in the program 2) How the program impacted them 3) What advice they. would have for other caregivers 4) What they learned from participating in the program.
By: Ana Contreras
After my son’s diagnosis, it has been difficult to find time to take care of my mental health. I had never been in a support group for caregivers.
When you receive your child’s diagnosis, words of encouragement are not very helpful. You feel that people around you, don’t understand your situation. Brad shared advice and techniques with us from a place of empathy, based on his experience as a caregiver, and that had a significant impact on many areas of my life. His advice is a very useful guide to follow on this journey. I learned the importance of understanding and trying to manage my emotions. That I am not alone, and that it is normal to feel everything I feel when I see my son facing complications. During the program, I received a medical diagnosis for another one of my children. With what we were discussing in the program, I was able to cope with this new diagnosis in a better way. Today, I try every day to practice my motherhood from a place of love, from a hope that I redefine day by day based on what arises with my son, and not from fear or stress.
My advice to other caregivers would be to always take care of your mental health. It is important to notice how our stress or emotions affect the person we are supposed to care for. If we are not okay, they will feel it. I know life can be hard in many ways, and we all have different situations, but it is through adversity that we will find the strength to continue. Find your tribe, always seek help, and never isolate yourself. Identify your triggers and always focus on your priorities. And most of all, its going to be ok, but we need to find the best next thing to do in order to be ready for this caregiver life. (Another mantra we learned!)
I have learned the importance of mental health. Most importantly, that I need to validate my feelings to understand that they are just feelings and go from there. The mantra we learned is on my mind every day now: “You can influence the situation in a certain way”. So, from now on, I will put into practice everything I have learned and I know there will be ups and downs, and its ok. I couldn’t be happier and more grateful to Global Genes and Brad for this tremendous help in continuing to be the mom my son needs, but also to be present with my whole family and friends in a better mental. Thanks for all you do and for this amazing opportunity.
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