Promoting Resilience & Coping Skills for Caregivers: Navigating the Emotional Challenges of Supporting Loved Ones with Mental Health Struggles - Webinar Summary

Caring for a loved one facing mental health challenges is one of the most selfless and emotionally taxing roles anyone can take on. It’s a journey that demands immense patience, understanding, and emotional strength. While caregivers pour their hearts into supporting others, they often neglect their own well-being.

So, how can caregivers navigate this difficult challenge while maintaining their own health?

The image used in this blog post was taken from Eslamoda (2025)

To explore this crucial and often silent struggle, we were joined by three psychologists during a recent webinar. They shared practical insights and personal stories aimed at helping caregivers foster resilience, manage emotions, and prioritize their own mental health throughout this journey.

The Emotional Toll of Caregiving

Caregivers often experience a range of emotional struggles, including anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue. The pressure of providing constant care, combined with the emotional weight of seeing a loved one suffer, can be overwhelming. Many caregivers feel helpless or inadequate when they can’t "fix" their loved one’s challenges, leading to frustration, grief, and even guilt. This is especially true for those caring for individuals with conditions like dementia, where the person may still be physically present, but emotionally, the changes can feel like a profound loss.

The Importance of Acceptance

Dr. Hera, a chartered health psychologist, is passionate about mental health awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health struggles. During the webinar, she emphasized the importance of acceptance for caregivers. It’s vital to let go of things outside of your control, allowing yourself to focus on what you can manage. Accepting that some things may not improve can ease feelings of frustration. She encouraged caregivers to focus on what they can control, rather than feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to "fix" everything. Dr. Hera’s advice was clear:

caregiving doesn’t require perfection, and it’s okay not to have all the answers. Approaching the caregiver role with compassion for oneself is crucial to maintaining emotional well-being.

Understanding the Emotional Toll

One of the most important things a caregiver can do is acknowledge the emotional toll caregiving takes. Supporting a loved one with mental health challenges, particularly anxiety or depression, can quickly spiral into stress and burnout. The constant pressure of providing care, combined with the emotional weight of seeing a loved one suffer, can be overwhelming.

Alex, a clinical psychologist with a background in neuropsychology stressed the importance of self-awareness and setting realistic expectations. By identifying and understanding emotional triggers — such as feelings of helplessness or anger — you can begin to manage them more effectively, leading to better mental health and emotional resilience.

Acknowledging the challenges and emotional strain of caregiving allows caregivers to accept their limitations, reducing the urge to push beyond their own capacity.

Setting realistic expectations helps maintain emotional resilience and prevents burnout.

Resilience and Coping: Embracing the Emotional Journey 

As caregivers, you may find yourself experiencing feelings of grief, guilt and shame. There are natural responses to the emotional challenges of caregiving. The key to resilience is acknowledging these feelings, allowing them to exist without letting them take over. Moving forward in a healthy way requires engaging in self-care and adopting realistic expectations about your caregiving role. 

Dr. Eugene, an expert in positive psychology, introduced a vital concept for caregivers: compassion fatigue. “It’s a sense of obligation, and sometimes it leads to tension,” Dr. Eugene explained. To overcome compassion fatigue, he emphasized the importance of resilience.

Resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship; it’s about how we respond to and grow through different times. Simply put, it is not just bouncing back from adversity but adapting positively to caregiving challenges.

Caring for a loved one can be emotionally draining, and Dr. Eugene reminded caregivers that it’s not about avoiding stress, but about approaching it with resilience and a compassionate mindset. Embracing these challenges with a positive outlook is key to navigating the emotional complexities of caregiving.

Practical Tips for Caregivers: Small Steps Toward Big Change

Taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Here are a few practical tips to help caregivers thrive while supporting their loved ones:

• Share Your Emotions: Choose trusted people to share your feelings with. Venting to others who understand can provide emotional relief and prevent you from internalizing stress.

• Acknowledge Grief: Caregiving often involves grief, even if your loved one is still physically present. Don’t suppress the sadness—acknowledge it as part of the journey.

• Start Small: Incorporate self-care routines into your day, whether it’s taking a walk, reading a book, or practicing mindfulness. Small actions can have a big impact on your emotional well-being.

Dealing with Guilt and Prioritizing Self-Care

One of the hardest emotions caregivers face is guilt. It’s natural to feel you’re not doing enough, but it’s essential to recognize that you are only human, and your energy is limited.

• Giving yourself permission to rest and delegate responsibilities is vital to prevent burnout.

• Questioning the sources of your guilt can also help. Sometimes, well-meaning people unintentionally add to your stress. Instead of justifying your decisions to them, acknowledge their perspective and move forward with confidence in your choices.

• Self-care isn’t just about relaxation; it’s about maintaining the basics—eating well, sleeping well, and staying active. These are essential for your mental health.

• It’s also important to avoid isolation. Stay connected with those who uplift you and make you feel valued and appreciated.

Navigate with Acceptance and Resilience

Caregiving is undoubtedly one of life’s most challenging yet rewarding experiences. It demands emotional strength, self-compassion, and resilience. By embracing acceptance, recognizing the emotional toll caregiving takes, and prioritizing self-care, caregivers can enhance their well-being while continuing to support their loved ones through their mental health struggles.

Final Takeaway

Resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship but about adapting to it positively.

By making small, consistent efforts to care for yourself, you’ll not only strengthen your emotional resilience but also better support those who need you most!

This blog post was written by Hui Shan, with editing by Esther. Published in April 2025.