Supporting Caregivers This Holiday Season

Every November, we recognize National Family Caregivers Month—a time to honor the more than 50 million family caregivers in the United States who provide support to their loved ones. Caregivers are the backbone of our communities, offering time, energy, and emotional labor that often goes unseen. As the holiday season approaches, these responsibilities can deepen, especially for families supporting a loved one living with a serious mental illness.

While the holidays are often associated with togetherness, celebration, and tradition, many caregivers experience this season differently. The contrast between expectation and reality can be painful, and for some, this time of year brings added stress, grief, and isolation.

The Emotional Realities of Caregiving During the Holidays

Caregiving for a loved one with a serious mental health diagnosis is deeply meaningful, but it is also emotionally complex. As our Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) Manager explains, many caregivers experience:

Grief for the Present and the Past

Families may grieve who their loved one was before their diagnosis—their previous interests, communication, or shared closeness. Even when a loved one is physically present, the emotional distance created by symptoms, stigma, or secrecy can lead to profound feelings of loss.

Feelings of Isolation

Loved ones may withdraw due to symptoms or shame, leaving families unsure how to reach them. This silence can feel even heavier during the holidays, when others appear joyful or connected. Some caregivers may be separated from their extended families due to their loved one’s symptoms. Others may be coping with a hospitalization or the painful reality that their loved one is not able—or willing—to come home.

Guilt and Powerlessness

Many caregivers believe they should be doing more, even when they are doing everything they can. They may feel guilty for not being able to “fix” things or powerless when their loved one refuses treatment. These feelings are common and deeply human.

Worries About the Future

Parents of adult children with significant mental health needs may fear what will happen when they are no longer able to provide care. The holidays often amplify this worry, as families reflect on the passage of time and the uncertainties ahead.

These emotional burdens—compounded with seasonal expectations—can leave caregivers overwhelmed, exhausted, and burnt out.

How IFSS Helps Families Feel Seen and Supported

Our Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS) program is designed to support those who support others. Through IFSS, we provide:

• Supportive counseling to discuss fears, challenges, and family dynamics

• Guidance on communication, boundary setting, and problem-solving

• Support groups that reduce isolation and connect families with others who truly understand

• Psychoeducation on diagnoses, treatment options, coping skills, and system navigation

• Quarterly Empowerment Through Awareness events that offer resources, speakers, and community connection

  
  

Families often tell us that IFSS helps them feel less alone—and that hearing “what you’re feeling is normal” can be incredibly healing.

Caring for Someone Else Begins with Caring for Yourself

Caregiving is meaningful, but it is also demanding. Our Director of Counseling Services reminds us that your well-being matters just as much as the person you support.

Prioritizing your own care is not selfish—it's essential. Some ways caregivers can care for themselves this season include:

• Asking for help from family, friends, or professionals

• Eating nourishing meals and staying active

• Prioritizing sleep

• Taking short breaks (15-minute walks, a favorite show, a good book, meditation)

• Staying hydrated and practicing small daily grounding rituals

Caregivers also benefit greatly from having their own support systems. Speaking with a licensed clinician can help you process stress, build coping skills, and stay emotionally grounded.

Our Outpatient Services offer:

• Individual therapy, in-person or via telehealth

• Medicaid, Medicare, out-of-network options, and a sliding scale

• A compassionate team experienced in supporting caregivers and families navigating mental health challenges

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Season Alone

Caregiving can be filled with love, worry, sacrifice, and hope—especially during the holidays. If you or someone you know is supporting a loved one with a serious mental illness, the Mental Health Association of Monmouth County is here to help.

Our programs are designed to uplift caregivers, strengthen families, and provide the tools needed to navigate difficult seasons.