It’s National Caregiver Month and our Annual theme is the same for this caregiver month, “My Self Care Is Radical” With so much that we go through as Mental Health Family Caregivers it’s important that we are adamant about how we care for ourselves. Between stigma and the weight of caring for someone with a mental illness and structural racism we can experience lethal doses of stress. It’s important not to miss the additional challenges that we face as Black Mental Health Family Caregivers. We will be sharing some resources here that are much more through online. Please let us know if there are something’s you would like to see covered. We also welcome input and personal stories of how difficult it’s been to navigate this life as a Black Caregiver. Feel free to share below....

“The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable, but the power of many working together is better.” - Gloria Macapagal Arroyo As a young single mother I can remember the challenges of trying to juggle parenting, a full time job, a part time job (for benefits) sports events, parent conferences, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and keeping the car serviced. I look back now and wonder how did I manage it all. I didn’t. Much suffered under the weight of my responsibilities. At least 3 times a year my body would shut down on me to the point where a severe cold, like the flu, would knock me on my butt! I couldn’t get out of bed and could barely turn over without severe pain. I chalked it up to being over worked and over tired but in hindsight I probably should have went to the hospital to be checked out. I wanted to ask for help, I needed help but I didn’t have it within my circle of family or friends, and I had no idea where to start looking for help.