All over the world, when someone needs care, it’s usually women who step up.
They leave their jobs, stop going to school, and change their lives to become caregivers.
The numbers are shocking because so many do this work without getting paid.
In Africa, women and girls do more than 70% of all care work. Let that sink in.
This includes women caring for aging parents, sick family members, raising children with disabilities, or sometimes doing all of these at once.
And as if that’s not enough, some of these women are also expected to be the breadwinners.
Some single mothers do all of this on their own.
Mothers often make it look easy because they have to keep going every day. But over time, the stress and pressure, and lack of economic empowerment can put them at higher risk for mental health issues like depression.
Studies show that parents caring for a child with special needs face higher levels of stress because of all the demands that comes with the role. This stress affects their mental and overall well-being.
When our wellbeing is threatened, we burnout and start feeling some type of way and this can lead to depression.
That’s why it’s so important to educate ourselves.
Knowing what signs to look for when something doesn’t feel right and when you should get some help.
Please remember, asking for help or talking to your doctor isn’t a weakness. It’s one of the bravest things you can do.
Here are Some Warning signs of Caregiver Burnout
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Pulling away from friends and your community
- Always feeling tired
- Changes in sleep habits
- Neglecting to take care of yourself
- Loss of appetite
- Becoming increasingly irritable
- Crying a lot
- Feelings of hopelessness
