Jewish Community Services would like to start a support group for family members and carers of those with a psychiatric illness. The group aims to offer a caring and supportive space for those who care for and/or live with someone who is psychiatrically ill. There are family members (mothers, siblings, adult children) who quietly care for their family member and often feel they also need a space to feel supported. They are often the first person that gets called when the family member becomes psychotic, or are exposed to the aggressive, depressive or manic behaviour that can be exhibited.
There are parents in the community who have being caring for their family member. These parents are themselves now aging and unable to provide the necessary resources (emotional, social and financial) that are required to keep the family member stable and safe. There are adult children who have been raised by a parent that has a personality disorder diagnosis and are caring for this parent.
Caring for a person living with a psychiatric diagnosis can be incredibly draining on emotional and financial resources and little left over for caring for themselves. A support group for these family members aims to provide some support but also a space to share knowledge of the various illnesses and coping skills.
Should you wish to join such a group, contact Cheryl Neeson at Jewish Community Services on 021 462 5520 or email cheryl@jcs.org.za
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