People living with MND, their families, and carers understand that MND can be overwhelming with constant changes and challenges to cope with. If you are experiencing difficult emotions or feel your mental health has been negatively affected, you are not alone. It is normal to experience a range of emotions as you and your family navigate MND.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when the Australian community comes together to raise awareness and promote better mental health for everyone. If you feel you need extra support, you can speak with your doctor, palliative care service, or mental health professional (e.g. counsellor or psychologist). This month MND NSW also are sharing some mental resources which people living with MND, their families, and carers may find helpful.
Mental health resources for people living with MND
- MND Australia has useful information, tips and strategies: Caring for your mental health
- Palliative Care Australia has self-care guides and information about grief: Resources - Palliative Care Australia
- The Black Dog Institute provides information about common mental health concerns, self-assessment tools, and self-help programs: Mental health resources and tools - Black Dog Institute | Better Mental Health
- Access an MND Support Group through MND NSW. Click here and complete our Online Intake Form or call our InfoLine on 1800 777 175.
Mental health resources for carers
- CareSearch (Palliative Care Knowledge Network) has a useful information sheet about recognising carer stress as well as tips for carers: Looking After Yourself - How To Care - Patients and Carers - Community
- Carer Gateway can provide tailored support for carers including counselling, coaching, online courses, and respite. Find out more: 1800 422 737 or Homepage | Carer Gateway
- MND NSW offers support for carers including our online MND Support Group called Carer Kitchen Table Conversations. Click here and complete our Online Intake Form or call our InfoLine on 1800 777 175.
Helplines
- Beyond Blue Support Service – phone 1300 224 636 (24 hours/7 days) to get free, immediate, short-term counselling, advice and referral to anyone in Australian via telephone, webchat or email 24/7
- Lifeline Crisis Support – phone 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days) or chat to a crisis supporter online (7pm – midnight/7 nights). This is a confidential service providing support to anyone in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, having difficulty coping, or thinking about suicide. This service also provides advice to anyone caring for that person
- 13YARN – phone 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) to talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter
- GriefLine – phone 1300 845 745 (Mon-Fri 10am-8pm) for grief support for people experiencing loss and grief, at any stage in life, information, resources or peer support in an online community.
Summary
Be kind to yourself and others as you navigate the MND journey. There are many ways you can look after your mental health. Whether it be self-care, talking to a professional, or self-help program, finding something that works for you is important. You are not alone.
