What a New Pediatric Crisis Study on Technology Tells Caregivers of People With Serious Mental Illness
Shocking new data: nearly one in five pediatric psychiatric crises now involve digital media, and those cases are twice as likely to end in hospitalization. Caregivers, take note right now.
And Yet, Another Uphill Battle: Navigating Medicaid for Adults with Serious Mental Illness
For caregivers of adults with serious mental illnesses (SMI), obtaining necessary support through Medicaid can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Despite Medicaid’s crucial role in providing health care and long-term services for people with disabilities, the process of securing and maintaining eligibility is often fraught with obstacles. Why is this journey so difficult and what […]
Caregivers are Pariahs, Right?
Abso-freaking-lutely-NOT As a caregiver for my loved one with schizophrenia, I’ve faced countless challenges—most of which stem not from the condition itself but from the interactions with healthcare professionals. I never imagined that trying to support someone I care about could make me feel like a pariah. Yet, that’s often how I feel when I […]
The Terrible “Joke” called Coordinated Care
Summary:
A caregiver recounts the challenges of managing care for a loved one with schizophrenia in the fragmented US healthcare system. Navigating disjointed healthcare, stigma, housing crises, and inadequate support services takes a toll. Accessing mental health professionals, medication management, and long-term care remain persistent struggles. The caregiver emphasizes the need for integrated, comprehensive care and support.
Crisis in the World of Schizophrenia: Normalizing the Inevitable?
Anyone who has been thrust into the complex, challenging world of schizophrenia and serious mental illness can tell you that a crisis is bound to happen. In fact, because a crisis is a key marker for many people that something is terribly wrong. But, do we have to run from the crisis? Or, can we […]
What World Schizophrenia Day Meant to Me
I really struggled with the concept of World Schizophrenia Day. What does that even mean? Is it a day we are supposed to celebrate this awful disease that robs us of our loved ones and all that they once were, and could have been? Is it a day to recognize our broken healthcare system that […]
Loss is Loss is Loss. Except when it is Ambiguous Loss.
For so many of us, being a caregiver of a loved one with schizophrenia is like a death of a thousand cuts. The emotions that we caregivers go through on a daily basis is just wrenching. We swing from seeing the loss of who our loved one once “was,” to seeing a medication fail – […]
Nurturing the Caregiver: The Importance of Self-Care in the Journey of Caregiving
Caregiving is often described as a labor of love, but behind the scenes lies a reality that can be profoundly taxing and emotionally draining. As caregivers, we dedicate our time and energy to supporting our loved ones, often at the expense of our own well-being. However, amidst the demands and challenges of caregiving, prioritizing self-care […]
Navigating Tough Care Decisions: A Perspective for Caregivers of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
I was lucky enough to be interviewed by Rachel Star Withers who is the host of PsychCentral’s, “Inside Schizophrenia Podcast.” In our discussion, we covered the landscape of what it means to be a caregiver of someone with a serious mental illness. Following is a loose summary of our conversation, re-cast as a blog! Caring […]
30 Minute Memoirs
21 March 2024 This week’s installment of 30-Minute Memoirs features the lovely Lucien L Simpson https://youtu.be/n9TH2eDiYXk as we explore SSI & SSDI and financial stability.