8.4 MILLION AMERICANS CARE FOR SOMEONE WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS

Family caregiving has become a public health issue that receives inadequate recognition in our country. While it can be rewarding to care for our loved ones, it often comes with significant physical, emotional and financial costs to the caregiver. On average, caregivers spend over 25% of their own income to support their loved one and provide 32 hours a week in unpaid care. AMCF offers up to a $1,000 financial relief grant to assist caregivers with unexpected expenses due to their caregiving role. If you are a caregiver we welcome you to apply for a grant today. 

Living with a family member that has a mental illness can have a significant impact on children living in the home. Many become caregivers for their parent or grandparent and take on additional household responsibilities like caring for younger siblings to support the family. These added duties can create stress and distraction for children wanting to pursue higher education. If you are a high school senior living in a household with a parent, sibling, or grandparent who suffers from a mental health condition, we encourage you to apply for a caregiving college scholarship. Applications are accepted nationwide and deadline for submission is June 1 of each year.

Caregivers often provide support to their loved one simply by learning "on the job" without a formal assessment of their needs or the needs of the person they are caring for. Caregivers may have little access to training or assistance, receive little recognition of the difficulty of their responsibilities, and can find themselves socially isolated.  Click on the link below for information, organizations and social networks that can help you with your caregiving role. Helpful topics include caregiver burnout and the importance of self care, as well as information on the different types of mental health conditions and where to go for support if your loved one is diagnosed with one.