The United States Congress established National Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in 1990, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) facilitates MIAW the first week of October each year. This year’s theme, “What I Wish I Had Known,” focuses on the power of lived experience and addresses a different topic each day. Rather than publishing a newsletter this week, we share thoughts about each daily topic. Today’s topic is caregiving.
Our first thought about caregiving? We understand. We are parents and caregivers like you, raising children with behavioral health and related challenges. Taking care of our children can be very hard. But none of us is alone, and none of us ever needs to figure out anything by ourselves. We are here for each other. That is the reason Families as Allies exists.
In May 2021, we wrote these words to all moms on Mother’s Day. They still reflect our feelings toward all parents and caregivers raising children with challenges throughout the year:
- If you are a mom looking forward to sweet times with your child(ren) this Mother’s Day, we are joyful with you.
- If you are a mom who is stressed about spending time with your children or who maybe doesn’t feel so mom-like at the moment, you have our support.
- If you are a mom who is tired and weary and in your heart of hearts you want some time alone, we hope you find solitude.
- If you are a mom who will not be with your children on Mother’s Day, our hearts are with you in your loneliness and pain.
- If you are a birth mom who is especially missing your child on Mother’s Day, we virtually wrap our arms around you.
- If you are a grandparent or other family member raising children, who never quite thought you’d be doing this again, we appreciate you and have your back.
- If you are a mom whose child has died, we grieve with you and honor the memory of your child.
- If you are missing your mom, we stand with you.
So to all of you on the caregiving journey – we see you, are here for you and treasure you.
These are ways we support each other at Families as Allies:
- Talk to another parent who has been in your shoes;
- Find information and resources;
- Learn ways to support your child.
These are ways we work together to make things better for our children:
- We survey families to find out what they think will most help their children;
- We conduct town hall and community meetings;
- We help legislators and other policymakers understand what our children need.
These are ways we advocate with you to get what you want for your child. We can help you with the following:
- Understand your family’s rights at school and other places;
- Prepare for meetings;
- Write letters and formal complaints.
If there are ways we can support you in your caregiving journey, we are here for you. Just let us know.The United States Congress established National Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) in 1990, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) facilitates MIAW the first week of October each year. This year’s theme, “What I Wish I Had Known,” focuses on the power of lived experience and addresses a different topic each day. Rather than publishing a newsletter this week, we share thoughts about each daily topic. Today’s topic is caregiving.
