May is Mental Health Awareness Month! We asked two CASA volunteers, who are mental health professionals, how the community can support children in foster care and families experiencing mental health issues.
“Knowing someone who is experiencing mental health issues or even knowing someone - who knows someone makes you a member of the community. This means first of all, that we are not alone and mental health issues impact all families and all communities.
As caregivers, it is important to remember to be patient, supportive and understanding with both yourself and your family member. Establishing and maintaining appropriate and safe boundaries for yourself and building a support system are also key components. Self-care is essential.
Access to care and resources and sometimes a lack of desire for help can be barriers to supporting families. As a community, we can educate ourselves by asking questions and reading articles regarding mental wellness. Identifying resources - both local and national can help with education and understanding. Family members may feel isolated and alone. As a member of the community, we can stay connected by offering assistance when appropriate. Sometimes that can be as simple as being a listening ear to a caregiver. Advocacy and offering to help in general ways also communicate concern and support.
Supporting a family who is experiencing mental health issues can be difficult and frustrating for everyone involved. Be honest and straightforward with concerns. It is essential that we interact with individuals with empathy respect and compassion. ”
“As a licensed chemical dependency counselor and a CASA, I am given a unique perspective on substance use issues and how it impacts families. I’ve been in the alcohol and other drug addiction field for over 4 years and my hope is to provide CASA volunteers some guidance on how to best help children whose families struggle with substance use. First, how you approach the situation is important. Addiction is both a mental health disorder and a complex brain disorder. Therefore, a compassionate and nonjudgmental approach is the foundation to helping families who experience this disease. A person struggling with substances is not a criminal who needs to be punished, but rather a sick person who needs help. Secondly, it’s important for children and teenagers to be able to honestly talk about substances. By gently asking open-ended questions, such as “tell me, what do you know about drugs?” you can bring a taboo topic to light.
Oftentimes, drug use is kept a secret or the elephant in the room that no one talks about. CASA volunteers can hold space by letting the child lead the conversation. These honest conversations without judgment can give children a sense of relief and an ability to process the complexities of it. CASA volunteers can help foster kids by validating their fears and emotions about real life issues. CASA volunteers can also help foster children develop resilience skills to avoid using substances by encouraging them and asking them about their healthy activities/interests.
Lastly, CASA volunteers help provide a safe, nurturing environment. This healthy attachment is not only helping them cope with family issues at home, but also provides them with strength to handle life stressors. Together, we can help families heal and children grow. ”