Let's see what you can do to care for your own mental health:

Setting Healthy Boundaries

Setting boundaries helps a borderline feel safe. It is a good idea to sit down with your loved one when they are relaxed and come up with agreed boundaries together.

Examples of boundaries include:

• “When upset, I will give you time to calm down and come back at an agreed time to check-in”
• “If you self-harm, and medical support is warranted, medical assistance will be sought”
• “I will answer your phone calls during before 10pm”

Through experience, when triggered, your loved one may resist these boundaries to ‘check’ whether you really care of not. In the long run, you will be respected for maintaining these boundaries.

Building up your own support network

Having your own support network is very important. People who you feel safe speaking to. People who are not there to judge but to listen.

• Formal supports include:
  • seeing a counsellor
  • visiting a psychologist
• Informal supports include:
  • friends
  • family members

Remember, carers are also entitled to receive subsided therapy sessions with a mental health care plan from your GP.

Doing things you enjoy

Setting time aside to engage in activities you enjoy will allow you to recharge your batteries. These may include:

• going for a walk
• art and craft activities e.g. knitting, painting, diamond painting, soap making
• joining and attending a fitness group e.g. pilates, walking, yoga
• spending time with friends
• having a coffee
• going for a drive