Caregivers need to seek support to avoid burnout: Experts

Frustration or guilt may lead a caregiver to harm a person with mental health issues or become suicidal

Mr Jared Goh, who was under a lot of stress from looking after his sister who has mental health issues, eventually signed up for a 12-week programme, where he learnt about crisis management and how to understand his own emotional needs and care for h
Mr Jared Goh, who was under a lot of stress from looking after his sister who has mental health issues, eventually signed up for a 12-week programme, where he learnt about crisis management and how to understand his own emotional needs and care for himself. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
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The first signs for Mr Jared Goh that his sister was not quite herself were when he received phone calls after she had fainting spells in public. Soon after that, she became withdrawn and isolated herself at home.

That was more than 20 years ago.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 19, 2020, with the headline Caregivers need to seek support to avoid burnout: Experts. Subscribe