Family Burden Cannot Be Ignored For Mental Health

Family members are often the primary caregivers of people with mental disorders. They provide emotional and physical support, and often have to bear the financial expenses associated with mental health treatment and care. It is estimated that one in four families has at least one member currently suffering from a mental or behavioural disorder. In addition to the obvious distress of seeing a lovedone disabled by the consequences of a mental disorder, family members are also exposed to the stigma and discrimination associated with mental ill health. Rejection by friends, relatives, neighbours and the community as a whole can increase the family’s sense of isolation, resulting in restricted social activities, and the denial of equal participation in normal social networks.

Informal caregivers need more support. The failure of society to acknowledge the burden of mental disorders on affected families means that very little support is available to them. Expenses for the treatment of mental illness are often borne by the family because they are generally not covered by the State or by insurance.

Family members may need to set aside a significant amount of their time to care for a person with a mental disorder. Unfortunately, the lack of understanding on the part of most employers, and the lack of special employment schemes to address this issue, sometimes render it difficult for family members to gain employment or to hold on to an existing job, or they may suffer a loss of earnings due to days taken off from work. This compounds the financial costs associated with treating and caring for someone with a mental disorder.

Source : rainier