With a bustling family schedule, the daily juggle of a mother whose child has special needs can become overwhelming. For some moms, the struggle to find balance can have a negative impact on mental health and well-being.
Dr. Geetha Shivakumar, assistant professor at UT Southwestern University Hospital’s Women’s Mental Health Center and Department of Psychiatry, strongly advises women to “recognize when you’re slipping down and reach for help. The first step in helping yourself cope with any feelings of depression is to tap into a support system, “ she says. “With the aid of the Internet, you can put yourself in touch with someone going through a similar experience fairly easily. The information and support moms get from peers can be much different than medical support — and sometimes much more valuable.”
For an extensive list of support groups for parents of children with special needs, visit the Thrive directory at www.DFWThriveMagazine.com/directory.
