Meet my dear friends Kevin and Margaret Hines. Theirs is a true partnership, and I feel very honored to witness their love.
Being a caregiver for someone living with a major mental health condition like bipolar disorder is not easy. Let's be honest, our mental healthcare system is challenging -- even when people are mentally well, let alone when they are in the grips of a mental health crisis. Friends and family are often the overlooked links in the chain of survival.
I had the pleasure of working closely with them as part of our founding board for United Suicide Survivors International (see video below). We got a chance to interview them in Denver not too long ago.
In this episode, Margaret and Kevin share what's worked for them. They share their very humorous story of how they met, and the serious commitment they have to stay mentally fit.
View video here: https://youtu.be/wgKS5seuwZc
Tips for caregivers include:
1. Making self-care a priority
2. Learning how to advocate for your loved one: "A closed mouth doesn't get fed."
3. Noticing patterns in behavior
4. Continually educating yourself, especially about medication options
5. Empowering people to take control of their lives
Additional resources on being an effective caregiver:
On being a caregiver for someone living with a mental health condition or suicidal intensity:
Mental Health America's "Being an Effective Caregiver"
Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder for Dummies Cheat Sheet
More about Kevin Hines:
Cracked, Not Broken: Surviving and Thriving after a Suicide Attempt by Kevin Hines
Suicide the Ripple Effect the film
Additional Tools for Recovery:
About United Suicide Survivors International:
View video here: https://youtu.be/K58P8Cu8pqI
Podcast: also available here: Podcast will air on 10/10 at 10:00 AM ET: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hopeilluminated