Mental illnesses—especially serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and major depression—can have life-altering impact. While this is certainly true of individuals who are diagnosed, it’s not true only of them. Their families are also affected in numerous ways that shape their time, their finances, their well-being—and their futures.
A review published in BMJ Open,* which examined 39 studies on the impact of severe mental illnesses on family members, concluded that “The negative impacts of [severe mental illnesses] are not limited to the person with the illness but extend to the family members and the community where the person comes from.” Let’s look at several ways entire families bear the burden of serious mental illness.
Impact on Time
For many family members, caring for a loved one dealing with a mental illness is the time equivalent of a second job. A report published by the National Alliance on Caregiving revealed that caregivers for individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions provide 32 hours of care each week—eight hours more than the typical U.S. caregiver.
Those who care for loved ones diagnosed with serious mental illnesses may give even more time. For instance, a study published in Psychiatric Research & Clinical Practice examined a survey of 200 unpaid caregivers for individuals living with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. It found they provided 36 hours of support each week, with frequent work and personal disruptions.
Impact on Finances
Caring for people living with any condition can be expensive, from the cost of treatment itself to the financial burden of taking time off from work to attend to a loved one’s needs. This financial burden can be especially heavy for families impacted by mental illnesses.
The aforementioned Psychiatric Research & Clinical Practice study found that family caregivers for those with schizophrenia spend an average of $1,810 monthly on everyday needs and $3,909 annually on significant life events (such as hospitalization, interaction with the justice system and major changes in living arrangements), without reimbursement. Altogether, that’s an average of over $25,000 each year that family members shoulder.
These costs are often compounded by the fact that many who live with serious mental illnesses are unable to work, reducing families’ sources of income. This two-sided challenge increases their risk of ongoing financial hardships and can have a daily impact on a family’s well-being. For instance, one study covered in the BMJ review found that households impacted by serious mental illnesses are twice as likely to experience food insecurity: 32.5% compared to 15.9%.
Impact on Physical Health
The BMJ Open review found that fears about future health are common among family members of individuals living with serious mental health challenges. For many, these fears are rooted in health challenges in the present. These family members reported poorer physical health and mobility and sought more medical care than those in households not directly impacted by serious mental illnesses.
These health challenges can have a significant daily impact. Compared with those who do not have a family member living with serious mental illness, these family members are more likely to experience symptoms ranging from sleeplessness and extreme tiredness to heartburn to headaches and other forms of pain.
Impact on Mental Health
Family members of those living with mental illness are more likely to struggle with their own mental health. One study covered by the BMJ Open review found that over half of caregivers for individuals with schizophrenia experienced significant emotional distress, while another revealed that nearly 30% of caregivers experienced depressive symptoms.
While hereditary risk and shared environmental factors play a role, the stress of living with and caring for their loved ones is also a factor. And it’s not only immediate family members who are affected: At least one study found that grandchildren face increased risk of mental health challenges as well.
Impact on Relationships
Individuals dealing with serious mental health challenges often struggle to form and maintain healthy friendships, but they’re not the only family members whose relationships are affected. The BMJ Open review found that family members of those living with mental illness were at greater risk for relational struggles, both within the family and with others. This includes fewer marriages, higher divorce rates, poor family cohesion and a strained family environment.
In addition, the time involved in caring for a loved one can limit or eliminate a family member’s ability to engage in social activities. This adds an extra layer of challenge for those seeking to build connections and gain support from outside of their families.
Impact on Children
In addition to feeling the effects of financial struggles, health challenges and strains on family members’ time, children in households impacted by mental illness face unique struggles in the classroom and in their relationships. The BMJ Open review reports that on average, they performed at lower levels in school and were more likely to need educational assistance. They were also more likely to struggle with emotional regulation and often deal with anxiety, stress and numerous health risks—some of which they carry well into adulthood. As this review states, “The impact on children is long term and affects their adult health and relationships.”
We’re thankful for all the ways that supportive friends and family members give to help many members of the Well Community manage mental illnesses. But some members of the Well aren’t blessed with family support. The Well Community serves as a family, providing a place where those who live with serious mental health challenges can find support and connect with others who are struggling.
Your gift will help the Well Community continue to serve as a family for those living with serious mental illness, providing support and community. Give now.
* For more statistics and sources, see “Multidimensional impact of severe mental illness on family members: systematic review.”