Talaghay

What is parental burnout?

It is a condition characterized by an overwhelming exhaustion related to one’s parental role, an emotional distancing from one’s children, and a sense of parental ineffectiveness. The experience of a parental burnout is a unique combination of symptoms, different from parenting stress, burnout and depressive symptoms.

Most people think that parental burnout is a normal part of parenting but what makes it worse is that burnt-out parents feel ashamed or guilty for being tired. Parental burnout can take a toll on your mental health.



🎨: Rogine Iya Dela Cruz

Are you a parent?

Child rearing can be both rewarding and challenging. Because parents tend to focus on the needs of their children, many parents neglect their own needs. Putting so much time and energy into taking care of children can leave parents exhausted. This can be especially true if you are a first-time parent, a parent taking care of a young child or a child with additional needs or if you have many children. If you find yourself in this situation, you may be experiencing parental burnout.



🎨: Rogine Iya Dela Cruz

Half of every conversation is listening. Let someone know they are being heard.



🎨: Lorrelaine Tompong

What are the benefits of joining a mental health support group?

There are a number of benefits of taking part in a mental health support group. For instance, the social connections you establish make you feel less lonely and isolated. It can help you stay motivated to manage your condition. You can more openly talk about your feelings without being judged. Learning how others manage their condition can improve your own coping skills and better understand your illness, thus providing you with hope and empowerment.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

Is there a genetic component to mental illness?

Although environmental factors should also be taken into consideration, one's genetics can contribute to a mental health problem. Certain mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, tend to run in families. Having a close relative with a mental illness could mean you are at a higher risk for developing the illness. However, having a higher risk does not automatically indicate that you are also going to have the disorder.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

“Ok lang ako” can sometimes means “I need someone to talk to.”
Let’s take time to really listen.



🎨: Lorrelaine Tompong

How do I break from the self-stigma of having a mental illness?

Do not isolate yourself. Talk about your mental health journey. Reach out to people you trust and can provide support. Connect with others who have mental illness to help you overcome negative self-judgment. Do not let the fear of being labeled hinder you from seeking treatment. Importantly, keep in mind that you are not your illness.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

What are the benefits of joining a mental health support group?

Whether you choose face to face meetings or online groups, members of a mental health support group often means participants share similarities in their life experiences. Participating in a group is an opportunity to be with people who are likely to understand one another.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

“Ok lang ako” can sometimes means “I am sad.”
Let’s take time to really listen.



🎨: Lorrelaine Tompong

If mental illness is a relatively common health condition, then why is there stigma surrounding it?

Mental health stigma often comes from the lack of understanding or fear. One contributory factor to the spread of stigma is the inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness. While the public may accept the medical or genetic nature of a mental health disorder and the need for treatment, many people still have a negative view of those with mental illness.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

If mental illness is a relatively common health condition, then why is there stigma surrounding it?

Self-stigma arises when an individual with mental illness internalizes the negative beliefs and stereotypes of others. This can be damaging, since self-stigma eats away at one’s self-esteem. You may engage in self-sabotage because you expect your efforts to fail. Because of the embarrassment brought about by self-stigma, this can make you reluctant to talk about your condition and seek treatment. In the end, the impact of self-stigma can be greater than the illness itself.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

“I am not my mental illness.”



🎨: Lorrelaine Tompong

How common are mental health disorders? What are the most common mental health disorders?

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 8 people in the world live with a mental disorder, which is characterized by significant disturbances in thinking, emotional regulation, or behaviour. There are many different types of mental illnesses. As stated in the website of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the most common mental health disorders among adults are depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

If mental illness is a relatively common health condition, then why is there stigma surrounding it?

Stigma can be described as a societal creation. When someone is stigmatized, the person is viewed negatively by others due to having a distinguishing personal trait that is perceived to be a disadvantage or a personal weakness. Individuals who experience mental health difficulties are, unfortunately, common targets of stigmatization.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

Have you had a recent conversation about mental health? Talking about our mental health issues can be difficult in the beginning, but keep in mind, healing starts with a conversation.
Let’s start the conversation.



🎨: Lorrelaine Tompong

How can you support your mental health as a father?

Tip 3: Communicate openly

Share your feelings openly with your partner, family and friends. Create a safe space for open conversations with your child. Active listening encourages trust and strengthens relationships.



🎨: Iya Dela Cruz

How can you support your mental health as a father?

Tip 2: Reach out to family and friends

Don’t do it alone. Build a support network of friends, family and fellow dads. Knowing that others have been through what you are going through can make a world of difference.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

How can you support your mental health as a father?

Tip 1: Connect with your child/children

Spend quality time with your child/children to strengthen bonds and create memories. This not only improves the parent-child connection but also becomes a platform for growth and building resilience for both of you.



🎨: Iya Dela Cruz

Do fathers go through “empty nest” syndrome?

Empty nest syndrome or the emotional distress parents may feel when their children leave home, is not exclusive to mothers. Dads may also experience a sense of loss, purposelessness or loneliness as their children become independent.



🎨: Iya Dela Cruz

Do fathers experience postpartum depression?

Becoming a father is life-changing and can trigger a whole range of emotions.

About one in 10 men experiences mental health difficulties in the first six months after baby arrives, with first-time fathers and younger fathers particularly vulnerable. Although postpartum depression is commonly associated with mothers, between 7% and 9% of new fathers develop postpartum depression due to deep doubts about their parenting skills.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye

Q & A: How does one manage depleted mother’s syndrome?

Tip 5: Learn New Parenting Skills

It’s never too late to learn new parenting skills, regardless of the age of your child. As your children grow and your relationships evolve, you will experience new life stages and challenges.

Read a book or take a class to learn how to better handle stressful situations with your kids. Learning techniques to stay calm when you are pushed to your limits can eliminate the shame spiral that often results when you lose your cool.



🎨: Iya Dela Cruz

"I had really bad postpartum depression after I had my son, and it frightened me. … My knowledge of postpartum — or postnatal, as we call it in England — is that you don’t want to be with your child; you’re worried you might hurt your child; you’re worried you weren’t doing a good job. But I was obsessed with my child. I felt very inadequate; I felt like I’d made the worst decision of my life … It can come in many different forms.”
- Adele



🎨: Iya Dela Cruz

How does one manage depleted mother’s syndrome?

Tip 4: Talk to Others

Finding a friend who can relate to what you are going through can be very therapeutic. Spending time with other women who have also asked themselves if it is normal to be tired of being a mom, or wondered whether they are a good mom, can help wash away feelings of shame and guilt.



🎨: Iya Dela Cruz

“I gained a lot of weight during my pregnancy, and I think I did go through postpartum depression. I was trying to stay positive when it felt like my whole world had flipped upside down. Creating a human takes a toll on women’s bodies. Sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough love or patience about that.”
- Danielle Brooks, actress



🎨: Lorrelaine Tompong

Postpartum anxiety (PPA) is the excessive worrying that occurs after childbirth or adoption (the postpartum period). Worry can be all-consuming which often leads to having irrational fears or excessive worries about events that are unlikely to happen.

PPA can occur along with postpartum depression (PPD). Both share similar symptoms, such as inability to fall asleep, heart palpitations or feeling afraid. If you have PPD, you may experience excessive sadness, frequent crying, or feel like you cannot take care of yourself or your baby. You may also have trouble finding joy in motherhood or feel like you are not capable of being a parent. PPA, on the other hand, is associated with excessive worrying, not with sadness. So if you feel panicked or overwhelmed with fearful thoughts, you are more likely to be suffering from postpartum anxiety.



🎨: Azcy Magnaye