Who cares for the caregivers?

In our on-going coverage of mental health issues MPR News host Tom Weber looks at the invisible support that contributes to mental health services. Every day hundreds of people are taking care of family members and loved ones who suffer from mental illness and rarely does anyone pay attention to the caregiver's declining physical and emotional health.

Sue Abderholden, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Minnesota (NAMI) talks about the unseen free labor support the state refuses to fund - and also looks at the trend in which the stress of giving care has led to increased rates of depression in caregivers.

And Elizabeth McAlister, Care Advocate and Caregiver Trainer describes how caregivers are often burnt out and desperate by the time they receive training to care for someone with a mental illness.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.