Supporting good mental health
by Family Councils Ontario
In recognition of World Mental Health Day, for this week’s blog post we’re going to discuss a few ways Family Councils can support the mental health and wellbeing of their members.
Focus on peer support
At its core, a Family Council is a peer support group. Comprised of family members and friends of residents, a Family Council provides time and safe space for members to share their experiences and give and provide support. To help balance peer support and Council business, set aside time at the beginning or end of the meeting for an open sharing session. In this time, Council members can share openly their concerns, challenges, and experiences. Other members actively listen and give support as appropriate. It is important that this session be time-limited (Councils often set aside 15-20 minutes for this), not recorded in the meeting minutes, not be considered as items to be acted upon by Council, and be kept confidential. The open sharing will support the mental health of members as it is an opportunity to share openly and give and receive support.
Connect with community groups and organizations
Many communities have groups and organizations that support caregivers. Help connect members to community groups and organizations that can help address their needs. For example, support groups and counselling services can help caregivers access supports that are beyond the capacity of the Family Council to provide. If you think a Council member is facing a challenge in which they would benefit from help, you can gently provide a list of services and supports in the community. Keep in mind that some people may be resistant to the idea of accessing help or unaware that they could benefit from support. Having the suggest come from one family member to another may help.
Educate members
Family Councils are a great vehicle for educating Council members on issues affecting them and their loved ones. Councils can organize educational events (at meetings or as special events) on topics such as caring for the caregiver, reducing stress, responsive behaviours of people living with dementia, etc… educating members supports mental health by proving people with information that better equips them as caregivers and how to manage their own health. Education sessions can be both informative and empowering.
Engage LTC home staff in supporting family members
Home staff can be invaluable partners in supporting family members’ mental health. Staff can direct family members to the Council for support and education, but only if they know about your Council and how it can help family members. Home staff can also provide one-on-one support to members and help connect them to community groups and supports. Talk to home staff about their ideas for supporting family members’ mental health and wellbeing.
How does your Council support members’ mental health? Share your ideas with us on Facebook!