Mental health care can be strain on families

Editor's note: The name of the individual in this story has been changed to protect her identity.

May is Mental Health Month

Caregivers of those afflicted with mental illness can face challenges.

"Julie" knows all about it as she has helped care for a close relative, who has schizophrenia, and also works with people suffering from mental disorders at the Abbey of Le Mars.

"You have to back off sometimes and look for something positive so you don't get depressed," Julie said. "(But) you love them."

When it comes to her loved one, Julie cooks healthy meals, drives her to activities and offers her emotional support whenever she can.

"It's hard for me to say no to her," Julie said.

Julie also meets with a woman each week at the Abbey just to talk and listen, but all that negativity sometimes gets to her.

"She can't socialize with many people," Julie said. "That's a drain on you."

It's important, experts say, that caregivers take time away from the situation to protect themselves from what can be a long-term battle.

"They should not try to care for all their needs," said Patrick Schmitz, executive director at Plains Area Mental Health. "You have know the limits and when it's time to seek professional help."

Julie, who suffers from schizo-affective mood disorder, agreed that long-term care does make it hard on the caregiver, but being on both sides she can see benefits of support.

"They have to have a reason to get up in the morning to cope," Julie said. "That's where the encouragement comes in, to keep them stable."

Listening and support are the most important aspects a caregiver can do for those suffering from mental illnesses especially those in institutions or who are away from their family, Julie said.

"We need people to come in and listen," she said. "Stay in contact. Keep going back because that person needs support."

Julie's thankful she has people in her life that did that.

Her sister would take care of Julie's daily needs like reminding her to eat a healthy diet and exercise while her mom made sure she socialized.

"They were just there to talk to me," Julie said. She added it's been difficult recently since her mom's death.

Experts agree it's important that caregivers have as much education as possible when it comes to each individual's illness in their care. Only then can they begin to understand what people with mental illnesses go through.

Martha Hibma LISW (Licensed Independent Social Worker), a clinical supervisor at Plains Area, said there's all kinds of education available from books to the Internet to speaking with therapists or other medical professionals.

With education, Hibma said, caregivers can overcome the mentality that those who suffer from mental disorders are "faking it" and that they can't just "get over it."

"Family members must realize this is a real disorder as much as a medical disorder," Hibma said.

The public must also forget that stigma attached to mental illness and realize that many people are afflicted and it's not by their choice, she said.

According to one statistic more than 54 million Americans have a mental disorder during the course of any year, and less than 8 million seek treatment.

"There are many people walking around with a mental illness," Hibma said. "They function very well."

Education and awareness, she said, is the answer to changing society's views.

"The more we understand, the less we're afraid of," Hibma said.

Families can try the following suggestions to help loved ones with mental disorders.

*Assist your family member to find effective medical treatment.

*Seek consultation regarding financial consideration for treatment.

*Learn as much as you can about the mental illness with which your family member has been diagnosed.

*Recognize warning signs of relapse.

*Find ways to handle symptoms: try not to argue with loved ones, do not make fun of or criticize them, do not act alarmed.

*Be happy with slow progress and allow your loved one to feel O.K. about little success.

*If your family member is out of control or suicidal, stay calm and call 911.