In case you’ve not heard of it, Five Second films is a web site that promotes, well, you guessed it. Here’s one of interest to us: Family Heirloom.
caregiveup
Compassion Fatigue for Those with Bi-Polar Parents
Thankfulness
A long while ago, things got hot for Henry Frobisher and so he decided to give piracy a rest and become an explorer. Well, he ended up freezing his arse off in Northern Canada and promised his crew that if they got out of this mess, they’d have a big feast of thanksgiving.
And, with respect to our American cousins who’ve a pathological need to be first in everything*, every year since them, in an unbroken line, there have been thanksgiving autumnal dinners in the new world.
I generally hated the holidays and even now their appearance on the calendar generates a pavlovian response to flee. As we were let out from school, there was always a sense of dread. My bipolar parent would generally make life intolerable to everyone because being a pest at the holidays was a wonderful way of drawing attention to herself.
Well, here’s a real lesson in thanksgiving from photographer Jessica Hilltout. Take a good look at these snaps the next time you are lamenting that you don’t have a bigger house, or the latest gizmo.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Normal Rockwell Parody
Article: Who Cares for the Carers
A Guardian article observes that one in three adults may become a carer in the next 10 years, with over 20% caring for more than 50 hours a week, and most doing so without outside assistance. Obviously, the level of care depends greatly upon the condition of the person being cared for, but the impact on the NHS, social services generally as well as the economy may be profound.
The article, by Judith Cameron. article posits that it’s in the NHS’s interests to engage with caregivers.
‘At the first workshop in Hertfordshire, where my GP colleague knew several of the participating doctors, our presentation was welcomed. A fortnight later in Lancashire, the reception was quite different, and doctors were adamant that the last thing they needed was the additional burden of carers. Surely, they argued, carers were the responsibility of council social care services, not the health service.’ Turf battles aside, there will be family caregivers for physical and mental illness, it is merely a question of how they are supported or not.
Audio: Caregiver Burnout and a Depressed Family Member
About Families for Depression Awareness is an organization in America helping recognize and cope with depressive disorders to get people well and prevent suicides. According to their web site, the group’s mission is to:
- To help families recognize and manage the various forms of depression and associated mood disorders.
- To eliminate the stigma associated with depressive disorders.
- To unite families and help them heal in coping with depression.
The group has several podcasts, but one is of particular interest to us. One of their recordings deals specifically with family caregiver burnout.
Bring Me Sunshine
Article: Caregiver stress and the Mental Health Commission of Canada
Caring for a family member with a serious mental illness (mainly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) is often extremely stressful for families; it impacts them financially, emotionally, socially and physically, reports an article published recently in the Huffington Post.
Hoping to improve the situations for the tens of thousands of families in this situation, a group of 45 B.C. families sent suggestions to the Mental Health Commission of Canada with the hope that the Commission would adopt them and help support families. Their suggestions were sent via e-mail and were widely distributed, according to the article. The commission defines itself as “a catalyst for transformative change” with the goal to, among other things, “improve services and support.” The organization arose from the report Out of the Shadows at Last — Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada in 2006. It received federal funding in 2007.
The pressure is good for you
