No one else gets it. Where can I find stories of other caregivers supporting a loved one with mental illness?

As a caregiver of a loved one with mental illness, you’ve had both challenges and triumphs that only other caregivers can understand. It can be helpful to read and listen to stories of other people who have walked in your shoes when you want to feel some hope. 

Some resources to find caregiver stories are listed below. We hope they help you remember that you are not on this caregiving journey alone. 

Support Groups 

Support groups offer a great opportunity to connect with others who have walked in your shoes. Consider attending a NAMI Family Support Group in your area to learn about the trials and successes of other mental health caregivers.  

You can find a NAMI support group by contacting your local NAMI affiliate. 

NAMI Blog 

Many caregivers who support a loved one with serious mental health challenges have shared their stories on the NAMI Blog. The NAMI Blog has a “Family Member & Caregiver” category you can use to find caregiver stories. Here are a few NAMI Blog posts to give you an example:  

• My Son Has Schizophrenia. This is My Advice to Caregivers. 
• Lies I Told Myself When I Found Out My Daughter Was Struggling 
• Through the Eyes of a Young Caregiver 

NAMI YouTube Videos 

Visit NAMI’s YouTube channel to find videos of mental health caregivers sharing their stories. Here are a few might want to check out:  

• Caring for a Mom with BPD and Finding Purpose 
• Caregiving and Mental Health Stigma in My Asian American Family 
• A Caregiver’s Struggle to Find Help and Hope  

NAMI Personal Stories 

NAMI also has some personal stories centered on the experiences of family members and caregivers. For example: 

• Becoming the Best Caregiver I Can Be 
• How NAMI Helped Me Support My Brother in His Mental Health Journey 
• Fighting for My Daughter’s Recovery By Demanding a Change in the System 

More Places to Find Caregiver Stories 

• Caregiver Action Network works to promote resourcefulness and respect for tens of millions of family caregivers across the country. They offer a private, online community for caregivers to share about their experiences, challenges, triumphs, and helpful resources.  
• Family Caregiver Alliance is an organization that provides a wide range of caregiver resources, including caregiving tips, information and encouragement about taking care of yourself as a caregiver, connections to community organizations and agencies, and overviews of health conditions. You can search “mental health” on their Caregiver Stories webpage to find stories of other caregivers who have supported a loved one with a mental health condition. 

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST 

Call: 800-950-NAMI (6264) 

Text: 62640  

Email: helpline@nami.org

Website: www.nami.org/help