SINGAPORE – Rather than wait for caregivers to seek help when they are burnt out, a new initiative aims to detect early signs of distress so that there is appropriate help before a crisis happens.
CaringSG, a charity supporting caregivers of special-needs children, launched on Aug 29 its new CAREmind programme, with the aim of reaching out to some 1,200 caregivers here over the next three years.
About 120 staff and volunteers will be trained to administer mental health screenings during the charity’s events, activities and house visits, so that tiered support can then be provided depending on a caregiver’s level of mental wellness.
For instance, caregivers with less intensive needs but who still require targeted support may be connected with a trained caregiver volunteer providing one-to-one emotional support under the charity’s CAREbuddy programme.
Those experiencing greater emotional distress or isolation may be linked up with a trained professional in social work, healthcare, special needs or other related professions, under its CAREwell programme.
Speaking at the launch event at Enabling Village, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua said caregivers of persons with disabilities may prioritise the needs of their loved ones over their own.
Prolonged caregiving without adequate support can lead to social isolation and emotional exhaustion, and too often caregivers seek help only at the point of crisis, he added.
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