SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About TLT
  • Reviews
    • Book Reviews
    • A to Z Book Lists
    • Book Review Policy
  • Teen Issues
  • Middle Grade Mondays
  • Programs
    • TPiB
    • Tech Talk
  • Professional
    • Teen Services 101
    • Things We Didn’t Learn in Library School
  • MakerSpace
  • Projects
    • #SVYALit
    • #FSYALit
    • #MHYALit
    • #Poverty in YA Lit

September 15, 2016 by Karen Jensen, MLS

#MHYALit: Five Ways to Cope: A Survival Guide for Family Members of Those with Mental Illnesses

September 15, 2016 by Karen Jensen, MLS   1 comments

If 1 in 4 adults suffers from some type of mental illness, and they do, then that means that a significant portion of our teenagers are living in families that are affected by mental illness. Today, as part of the Mental Health in YA Lit Discussion (#MHYALit), guest Deanna Cabinian shares some tips for surviving as a caregiver to those with mental illness. You can read all the #MHYALit posts here or click on the #MHYALit tag.

MHYALitlogoofficfial

One thing that isn’t talked about often when talking about mental illness is the effect it can have on family members. I have close loved ones who’ve struggled with OCD, depression, and bipolar disorder and have firsthand knowledge of how difficult it can be for those on the sidelines. Over the last twenty years I’ve developed some strategies for coping. Here are my tips:

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

  1. Talk about it. Talk to a friend, another family member, or a coworker. Share as much or as little about the situation as you would like. Book an appointment with a therapist if necessary—there is no shame in seeking professional help. Venting about what’s happening in your life helps release some of the stress.
  1. Sweat it out at the gym. Do cardio, yoga, or weight training. Walk around a local forest preserve. Eight years ago, when things were especially hard I took up running in a major way, competing in 5Ks, 10Ks, and at my peak of running fitness a half-marathon. Running was the one activity that calmed my mind down and allowed me to focus on something else rather than what was happening at home.
  1. Keep up with your passions and hobbies. If you love to craft or play the guitar do not give it up just because it might seem selfish under the circumstances. If you start to lose yourself your situation will start to feel even more out of control. Go ahead and take your Wednesday night cooking class. You putting your life on hold is not helping your family member.
  1. Seek out others in similar situations. Talking to people who have been through the same things you have is a relief and makes you feel like you’re not alone. NAMI is a great organization that connects you with others who have been through exactly what you’re going through. They have chapters all over the country. I highly recommend their family to family class.
  1. Write about what’s happening, even if you have no plans to share it. Making a list of what worries you or what frustrates you about a particular situation is another good way to relieve stress. The best part about it is you don’t have to be a writer or like writing to do it. Keep the list around and cross items off if things improve. Better yet, tear the list up—you can always make a new one.

About the Author

guest-post-2-graphic-1

Deanna Cabinian has worked in radio, television, and magazine publishing, but her greatest passion is writing. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, she has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a Master’s degree in sport management. Her debut contemporary YA novel, One Night, was released on September 5. Find her online at deannacabinian.com.

Filed under: #MHYALit

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
CaregiversMental HealthTeen Issues

About Karen Jensen, MLS

Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

July 2020

RevolTeens: Helping Teens Through Revolting Times, by Christine Lively

by Karen Jensen, MLS

July 2020

Morgan's Mumbles: Healthy Habits, by teen contributor Morgan Randall

by Karen Jensen, MLS

March 2020

Sunday Reflections: The Kids are Not Alright, Alright, Alright

by Karen Jensen, MLS

June 2019

The Weight of Our Words: Reflections on how we talk about mental health and why it matters

by Karen Jensen, MLS

May 2018

Twin Cities Teen Lit Con 2018: Mental Health in YA Literature Presentation

by Karen Jensen, MLS

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

One Star Review, Guess Who? (#184)

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Announcing the 2023 Winners of the Annual Blueberry Literary Award!

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Review: Victory! Stand!

by Esther Keller

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

The Transformative Power of Books, a guest post by David Aleman

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Newbery Medalist Amina Luqman-Dawson visits The Yarn

by Colby Sharp

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

Four Debut YA Authors on Getting Published in a Pandemic and Staying True to Yourself

Three July 2021 YA Debut Authors Open Up About Their Protagonists

January’s YA Debut Authors Share Their Hopes for 2021

July's Debut YA Authors Explore the Hidden Truths, Tropes, and Tragedies Behind Stories

Resistance, Radical Empathy, and the Responsibilities of Privilege: An Interview with Tehlor Kay Mejia on “We Set the Dark on Fire”

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christine Lively says

    September 15, 2016 at 9:48 am

    Thank you for posting this. There are so many of us supporting and helping kids with mental illness issues. Some, like me, are also dealing with their own mental health, and it’s daunting.

    Silence is such a huge problem. My child has a life threatening disease – depression – and if they had cancer, we’d have spaghetti dinners and t-shirts with their face printed on them. Instead, we talk about it only with trusted friends, teachers, and health professionals. I know that there are so many more parents and family members out there who need to hear and be heard.

    Thank you for spreading the word.

    If you’re out there and dealing with mental health issues for your child or children, you are not alone.

    Christine

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023