Kalpana has been caring for her son, who has lived with mental health challenges since childhood. For many years, she has gone above and beyond to support him, often putting her own needs last.
A few years ago, her son needed additional support, and Kalpana began to feel overwhelmed. She couldn’t stop worrying about what the future might hold.
“You go through a cycle of ‘Why me? Why is this happening to my son?’”
Realising she needed to prioritise her own wellbeing to continue caring for her son, Kalpana admits, “I needed to be more practical; I needed to look after myself too.” That’s when she called Carer Gateway at Holstep Health.
“They helped a great deal in changing my thought process and eased many of my worries.”
Through Carer Gateway, Kalpana accessed in-person counselling sessions.
She also joined a monthly Carer Gateway peer support group, where she connects with other carers, learns coping skills and shares experiences. “We talk about each others’ issues and have a good laugh. As mothers, we understand each other.”
Discover what a carer peer support group could do for you with Carer Gateway. Call 1800 422 737 between 8am and 5pm, Monday – Friday or visit our Carer Support page to learn more.
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