Resources and Support for Mental Health Caregivers in Riverside County

Understanding the Role of Mental Health Caregivers

Mental health caregivers in Riverside County are absolutely vital in the health and wellbeing of those living with mental health disorders. While sometimes a caregiver will be a hired professional, in many cases it is a family member of the person experiencing mental health struggles or limitations. They work hard to make sure their loved one has the support, care, and emotional help they need, while also navigating services, helping them through the practicalities of daily life, and ensuring their quality of life does not suffer. 

Whether they’re caring for a person with short-term or long-term needs, mental health caregivers in Riverside County may end up neglecting their own needs and find themselves feeling alone. It can be difficult to address stress and strong emotions while being in charge of helping another. At Moment of Clarity, we are proud to offer support not only to those with mental health concerns, but also to those in charge of their care. 

Essential Resources for Mental Health Caregivers in Riverside County

The following are some important resources that you, as a mental health caregiver, may find useful. These services and informational websites can assist you in advocating for your loved one, while providing them with all the opportunity possible as they live with their mental illness.

• Mental Health America Caregiver’s Guide – A full, easy-to-understand guide on how to get started as a loved one’s mental health caregiver.
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – This act lets you know what private health information caregivers can access, and what they can and cannot share with others. 
• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Under this act, as a caregiver you will be able to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off work without repercussion, to aid in the care of a parent, child, or spouse with a serious mental health issue. While not every employee is covered by FMLA, you may be. 
• Conservatorship Status – if your loved one is no longer able to make decisions for themselves regarding their financial, legal, or healthcare, a family member may be appointed as their conservator, and will be granted the right to make these decisions on their behalf.
• Power of Attorney – This is another type of legal document that allows somebody to act on a person’s behalf when they are unable to. If the loved one you’re caring for legally gives you Power of Attorney, you can make medical and legal decisions for them. 
• The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission – A US government body that ensures people with mental illnesses are not being discriminated against while at work.
• Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) – If a person has developed a serious disability before turning 26, they can create a non-taxable savings account without affecting their disability benefits. 
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – This act protects people who have disabilities from being discriminated against in the workplace, and can help get them appropriate accommodations like a flexible work schedule, or time off to receive treatment or therapy. 
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and 504 Plans – Documents that describe a child’s educational goals, and the ways in which a school will work with the child to achieve them. 
• Psychiatric Advance Directives – These are legal documents in which a person who has a mental illness can describe the treatments they want to receive in case of emergency or mental health crisis. This document is often shared with their doctor, psychiatrist, and caregivers. 
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) – This plan helps individuals with mental health conditions to detail what makes them feel better, what actions they can take when things aren’t going well, daily wellness goals, and their own personal signs of relapse. It is a personalized document that can be as vague or detailed as the individual wants. 
• Respite Care – Caregivers need a break too, and respite workers can help. Whether it’s planned in advance or emergency care, respite care can give you some time to yourself, ensuring your loved one is in good hands while you’re away.

Some resources that can help pay for your loved one’s ongoing mental health care include:

• Social Security Disability (SSD) – This government program provides monthly payments, but is only available if your loved one paid into Social Security while working.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – If your loved one has a disability that limits their ability to work for more than a year, little or no income, and little or no resources, they may qualify for SSI.
• Prescription Assistance Programs– 
• Medicaid – People with low income may be able to access care using Medicaid’s public health insurance program. 
• Medicare – Individuals aged 65 or people who qualify due to specific disabilities may be able to pay for treatment using Medicare insurance.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) – In some cases, CHIP can provide low-cost health insurance options for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but cannot afford to pay for private insurance.

Services Offered by Moment of Clarity for Caregivers

It is often the case that the needs of mental health caregivers in Riverside County are overlooked, especially when the person they’re working with is high-needs. While feeling some degree of stress is normal for everybody, if you don’t take action to take care of your own physical and mental health, it can result in burn-out, health problems, and a lower quality of life for yourself and the person you’re caring for. Along with getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising, you can also take advantage of some of the programming we’ve created at Moment of Clarity for mental health caregivers in Riverside County. This includes:

Caregiver Support Counseling

As a caregiver, you may feel like you have nobody to talk to, or share your concerns with. A professional counselor can give you an outlet, while helping you focus on improving your quality of life, and ensuring you’re acting in ways that benefit yourself as much as they do your loved one. 

Stress Management and Self-Care Strategies

Self-care is the key to being the best caregiver you can be. If you neglect your own health, you may find yourself feeling stressed, tired, frustrated and resentful, leading to caregiver burnout. Some self-care strategies you can try include taking regular breaks, mindfulness meditation, getting good rest and exercise, eating well, and asking for support from friends, family, and a professional counselor. At Moment of Clarity, we’ll help you find pathways toward better mental health that work for your individual needs. 

Practical Tips for Effective Caregiving

Communication Techniques for Caregivers

Learning to communicate effectively is one of the best ways you can help a loved one with their mental health. This may include active listening skills, knowing when to ask questions and when to listen, understanding and navigating strong emotions, and learning more about your loved one’s disorder to better understand where they’re coming from. 

Managing Crisis Situations

It’s important to approach a person having a mental health crisis with empathy and compassion. In some cases, you may need to seek emergency assistance, but many times it’s possible to deescalate the situation yourself. Knowing what to do in the case of aggression or suicidal ideation ahead of time is key to being able to manage the situation with a level head when the time comes. 

Balancing Caregiving Responsibilities and Personal Well-being

The old saying says that you must fill your own cup before you can pour into others’. While the person you’re caring for is important, so are you, and it’s up to you to ensure your needs are being met. Striking the right balance and setting boundaries can be difficult, but it is essential to your health, both physical and mental, so you don’t experience burnout. You can talk to a counselor or loved one, schedule regular respite relief, and use stress-reduction techniques to ensure you’re doing well and able to recharge your own battery. 

How to Access Support Services in Riverside County

At Moment of Clarity, our outpatient mental health programs make it easy to get the help you need, without interrupting your busy schedule. We’re available every day to speak with you, and can create a customized treatment plan that suits your lifestyle, with several outpatient program options to choose from. Whether you’re looking for an intensive partial hospitalization program, a customizable intensive outpatient plan, or just want to talk with a counselor on a short-term basis, we can help. 

Why Choose Moment of Clarity for Caregiver Support?

Moment of Clarity is a Southern California mental health treatment facility offering a variety of outpatient treatment options, individual and group therapy sessions, and more. If you’re a mental health caregiver in Riverside County, we are here to support you. Taking care of another person is never an easy task, but when you’ve got strong support and a personalized wellness plan on your side, it can be fulfilling to act as an advocate, companion, and support system to your loved one. 

To find out more about the types of services we provide, please call us at (949) 625-0564. We can help you find the right type of counseling or support for your unique situation. You are not alone.