Mental Health Mondays: How Parent and Caregiver Depression is Overlooked

Today's episode will focus on Parents and Caregivers that battle with depression. When working with youth and their behaviors, often times the caregivers (i.e. parents, guardians, aunts, grandmothers,etc.) battle with depression that goes overlooked. Growing up as a child, it is never realized because our parents or caregivers may not often show it because it can be perceived as a sign of "weakness". Parents and caregivers' priority shift to the needs and well-being of their children or loved one; often overlooking and neglecting their own mental health needs and self-care. The sacrifices of parents and caregivers own physical, emotional, and mental health needs often create the feelings of anger, isolation, sadness, anxiety, exhaustion and guilt. Many times, these emotions and feelings get suppressed. The assumption that these emotions and feelings come with the territory of being a parent or caregiver cannot be treated and helped is quite untrue. Lastly, just a few quick tips to assist with combating caregiver-related depression.