Remember that parents need support too

The team at Bend is here to remind you that parents and caregivers need support, too! That’s why we created caregiver-only coaching sessions for parents and caregivers whose child is enrolled with Bend. It’s a great way to connect with your child’s care team and gain valuable insights into how you can best support your family. 

This is your time and space to meet with a Bend coach and gain clinically proven tools and techniques so that you can feel your best. And taking care of yourself can actually have a positive impact on your entire family. Studies show a significant link between a parent’s stress level and their child’s clinical outcome. Whole family care, which includes parenting sessions, is a part of the Bend model because we know that it works. 

Appointments available to fit your busy schedule 

We know that it can be hard to focus on getting the support you deserve when your child is at home and in need of your attention. To better accommodate your busy schedule, we have parent coaching sessions available during the day. You can make an appointment while your child is at school, allowing you to speak freely without interruptions. 

Bend also offers appointments during school hours for kids and teens. In-school coaching or therapy sessions can provide a crucial lifeline for children with diagnoses like ADHD, anxiety, or depression. This time can offer students an opportunity to step away from the demands of their school, taking a much-needed break to focus on their mental health. 

Ways to advocate for yourself

Parents who have children with mental health challenges often don’t receive the emotional support that they need, and that can get in the way of creating powerful, lasting change for the entire family. Here are a few tips from our experts on advocating for your needs:

• Carve out time for you. The reality is you’re likely going through a lot right now and may feel that there’s very little time left in the day for your needs. Is there something small you can do to bring a moment of calm into your day? Maybe taking a walk while the kids are at school or getting up before everyone in the house to have some quiet time to journal or read. This can be especially hard for single parents who may feel isolated, so we want to be realistic here. Maybe you can build a few minutes into your day to call a friend for support or ask a fellow parent to pick your child up from school one day a week so that you can have some time to do something that you enjoy.
  
  
• Seek out supportive people. Start with one person. Can you pick up the phone today to talk to your best friend or a family member who has historically been there for you? What about another parent that you trust? Think of who you feel the safest with and ask if they have some time to listen to what you’re going through. If you’re not looking for advice right now, feel free to say that upfront. Sometimes just having someone that can really hear you can make a big difference.
  
  
• Try to drop the shame and stigma. Seeking mental health support for your child or teen is no different than tending to their physical health. You would never face judgment for taking them to have an X-ray if you suspected that they had a broken bone, so it’s unfair to feel that you need to hide the fact that you’re seeking solutions for their emotional challenges.
  
  
• Lend yourself some compassion. You are a wonderful parent for advocating for your child. Do your best to speak kindly to yourself, like you would a friend, and surround yourself with people who lift you up, and keep asking for help when you need it. 

Remember that you deserve support too. If you’re already a Bend member, you can schedule a parenting coaching session right away. Otherwise, get started today with Bend! We’re here for you every step of the way.