Mental Illness Awareness Week Oct. 4 to 10, 2020 Caregiver Support

“Tears rolled down my hot, sweaty face as I angrily dug at the weedy garden patch with my hoe. “How Lord, how can I manage to get through this? How can I go on?”

Ihad just returned from a meeting at the hospital with a team of psychiatrists and nurses who were in charge of my husband’s medical care. He had been in and out of the hospital since February and was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. This meeting was to inform me that they could do nothing more for my husband and he was to return home even if he had not returned to his usual self. I was shocked and overwhelmed at the thought. We had been married for about fifteen years and he had always bounced back to his normal self and resumed his work and role as dad to our three children and husband to me. This time however the strange projects and bizarre behaviors were not going away. The doctors told me they may never go away and I would have to learn to live with him in his dream world. How would I manage that…to care and supervise this grown man, my husband in his hypomanic state?

That afternoon a friend told me about Mental Health Estrie (MHE). She said they have a caregiver’s support group and I should join. I hesitated but I needed help and support or I would be in trouble.

Within a week or so I met this special support group. There were people with similar stories who understood where I was coming from. I was given lots of information about my role as a caregiver, and advice as to how to interact with my husband’s medical team. Most of all it allowed me to unload my worries in a place of understanding and care. My friends and family cared but did not always understand or know how to help. It wasn’t long before my husband did in fact return to his normal self. The MHE was there to help me through that tough scenario and many more episodes which followed. I received many tools from workshops I attended through MHE, phone conferences, loaned books and magazines from the library at MHE along with speakers and personal, confidential knowledge that was exchanged within the group.

As a caregiver to one with bi-polar disorder, you never know (as Judy, the founder of the organization, would say) “when the shoe is going to drop!” Our family’s whole life revolves around “what ifs” and we must be prepared to change our schedule at the drop of a hat or shoe if my husband suddenly becomes ill. Friends and family try hard to advise and understand but nobody fully understands better than those who have experienced similar stories.

Thank you MHE. You are like a safety net for me and my beautiful family.

Submitted Anonymously

Resources:

Mental Health Estrie ( MHE) is a nonprofit community organization committed to providing information, support, education and advocacy to English-speaking families and individuals in Estrie impacted by mental illness. Services are currently available remotely by phone (819-565-3777) and email (mhe.info@bellnet.ca). We invite you to “like” our Facebook page https:// www. facebook. com/ Mentalhealthestrie/ for updates and links to articles, guides and ideas for coping strategies or visit our website at www.mentalhealthestrie.com.

Urgence Detresse Crisis Hotline: 819-7802222

Suicide Prevention Hotline Across Quebec: 1-866-APPELLE

Info Santé: 811 (option 1 for a nurse, option 2 for a psychosocial services)

CLSC: Call 811 to find your local number; call your local CLSC and ask to be connected to the psychosocial intake department (“accueil psychosocial”). In general, your call will be returned within 24-48 hours to set up an intake appointment.

CHUS Hotel-dieu & Fleurimont Hospitals: 819-346-1110

Order of Psychologists (Hotline to find a psychologist near you): 1-800-561-1223

Family Doctor: To find a local clinic, you can call 811 or visit: http://sante.gouv.qc.ca/ en/repertoire-ressources/clsc/. To register for a family doctor, please visit: https://www. quebec. ca/ en/ health/ finding- a- resource/ registering-with-a-family-doctor/

AMI Quebec: (Located in Montreal). Visit the website or Facebook page for a wealth of information, videos and virtual workshops. Web: https://amiquebec.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amiquebec