whelmed with their circumstances and ending their life seems
like the only way out.
When massage therapists care for their clients while at the
same time extend care to family members or friends, all the
while struggling privately with personal issues, they put them-
selves at risk of burnout and caregiver fatigue. The majority
of massage therapists who are female may be at less risk than
their male counterparts. According to CMHA, men are at much
greater risk for depression, isolation and suicidal ideation
because they are conditioned to be strong, tough and to avoid
complaint. For many men, it is easier to acknowledge physical
symptoms than emotions and feelings so depression or other
forms of mental illness and social isolation go undiagnosed or
unacknowledged. Statistics Canada reports that almost 50%
of all suicides are completed by men in their 40s and 50s
and men are three times more likely to die by suicide than
women. When male therapists put the needs of clients, families
and friends before their own mental health, while living with
depression and feeling conditioned not to ask for help, they are
at significant risk for caregiver fatigue and suicide.
Protective factors that help to counter the effects of caregiv-
er fatigue and isolation include a positive relationship with a
mental health provider, therapist or counselor as well as build-
ing social support networks that allow the individual to talk
about their challenges and feelings. For someone at the end of
their rope, asking for help may seem like the most insurmount-
able challenge because to admit the need for support extends
their perceived burden on others. And yet, reaching out and
asking for support is the only way back to health.
Guidelines for Managing Caregiver Fatigue
■ If you feel overwhelmed by caring for others, talk to your
doctor, a counselor or a loved one about what you are expe-
riencing. Ask for help even if it feels risky. Take deep breaths,
get regular sleep and accept your limitations. You are only
human.
■ If you feel completely overwhelmed with caregiver
fatigue, burnout or suicidal feelings and don’t know where to
turn, contact your local crisis line or counseling centre. They
can help you find resources in your area to support you. Rec-
ognize that burnout and caregiver fatigue are very serious
conditions that need greater management and support than
you can give yourself.
■ If you know of someone who is struggling with caregiver
fatigue or more serious mental illness, ask if they are think-
ing about suicide. Listen. Tell them you care. Explain what you
can and cannot do to support them. And seek support for your-
self – listening to someone’s painful stories and issues can feel
personally challenging or frightening.
■ If you are concerned about someone who is thinking of
suicide, do not promise anything that you cannot do. At the
same time, you have a duty to act if the individual is actively
suicidal, so contact the local crisis service for advice. And if
you know that this individual is acutely suicidal, call 911.
Caregiver fatigue
and stress result
from increased
caregiving in
combination with
ever-diminishing
energy reserves.
■ If someone that you know committed suicide, be gentle
with yourself. Although you may believe that you might have
stopped them from completing this act, a person who decides
to end their life feels like an overwhelming burden to others
and will not reach out or ask for help. Commit to daily self-
care and mindfulness and seek support for your own grief and
sense of loss.
No matter what challenges or caregiving fatigue you are
experiencing, take care of yourself. Invest in your well-being.
Set clear limits to care. Ask for support. Take time out to rest
and recuperate, no matter what others ask of you. Self-care is
the most important line of defense against all the stresses and
caregiver fatigue that your life and your work presents.
Useful Resources:
Men and Mental Illness:
cmha.ca/documents/men-and-mental-illness
questionnaire regarding stress:
cmha.ca/whats-your-stress-index
Local Crisis Centres across Canada:
suicideprevention.ca/need-help
Suicide Prevention:
suicideprevention.ca/understanding/
suicide-and-high-risk-groups
training program:
safeguards-training.net/Courses
FALL 2018 17