Who will care for caregivers?

Experts say there is a need to bolster caregiver health through community-based care

- Joyce Teo

As the mother of a son with a serious mental health condition, Mrs Evelyn Chng knows full well the challenges of caregiving, and the importance of having support.

Today, she works for social service agency Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL), where she connects new caregivers with support in psychoeducation, training or counselling. CAL is the only social service agency focused on caregiving that has an outpost at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).

Mrs Chng said caring for loved ones with mental health problems can lead to social isolation, financial difficulties and emotional turmoil. She can spot the negative emotions such as anger, low self-esteem, constant worry and feelings of helplessness.

Her son was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder at 15. She and her husband learnt coping strategies and found support at a 12-week training programme run by CAL and conducted by other caregivers.

Yet, even after more than a decade of caring for her son, who is now 29, things have not become easier. He suffered a relapse that saw him admitted to IMH in January and March.

"People say: 'You're already a pro (at caregiving), why do you still face the same problem?' I say it's the same problem because it's not easy," she said.

Over the years, her son has developed psychosis, hearing voices telling him to harm himself.

Caregiving can be one of life's most profound and challenging experiences. In particular, caregiving for someone with chronic mental health conditions comes with distinct challenges, due to the unpredictable nature of these conditions.

There are more than 210,000 caregivers in Singapore, looking mostly after the elderly or people with disabilities.

Many sacrifice financial security, career opportunities and time to care for their loved ones, often putting their own physical and mental health at risk.