It’s been called the happiest time of year, but even the most joyous holiday season can cause stress for individuals and families. And family stress can be particularly intense for those of us who provide caregiving support for aging parents. Caregivers face the daily strains of anticipating and providing for another adult’s daily needs often combined with grieving the loss of the parent they knew.
Pro Bono Counseling’s WARMLine is a free and confidential mental health resource available to support Marylanders experiencing such family stressors. Staffed by trained mental health professionals, the WARMLine team can provide emotional support and assistance, and refer callers to other resources if needed.
Recently a caregiver contacted the WARMLine and shared that even though they had been staying at the hospital since their elderly parent fell ill, they were still struggling with a sense of not doing “enough.” The caller was also feeling anger towards family members who had not recognized signs of the parent’s failing health and were not participating in the parent’s care to the level the caller desired.
The WARMLine associate was able to affirm the caller’s love for their parent and reframe their feelings of their own inadequacy as a reflection of the depth of this love. The caller and the WARMLine associate also discussed ways that individuals may be surprised when others perceive and respond to shared experiences differently, necessitating that one must validate their own feelings about these differences while creating space for each family member to be their own person. Finally, the WARMLine associate provided practical information about how to engage in empathetic conversations with the caller’s parent at times when the parent was not as lucid.
The caller expressed gratitude for this support, saying, “”I’m so glad that you all were able to answer the phone because I was dying to speak to somebody. I needed to talk to someone and get that out of me . . . This is such a great service for when people just need to talk to somebody.”
As a policy, when someone contacts the WARMLine, staff inquire if they would like a follow up call to check in on how they are doing. Callbacks are typically scheduled one week from the caller’s original call, unless otherwise specified by the caller.
During this person’s callback a week later, the caller shared several positive developments in their own self-care, their parent’s condition, and the boundaries they were able to set with other family members. The caller reiterated the value of the WARMLine support in navigating these challenges, noting, “I really appreciate you calling [back]. I’m so glad you all are available.”
Pro Bono Counseling’s WARMLine was established in 2020 to support Maryland residents who were experiencing mental health impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The WARMLine has since evolved and grown both in need and demand. It is not a substitute for crisis services or ongoing therapy, but it is a means of assistance for anyone who needs a supportive, listening ear. The WARMLine, staffed by licensed mental health professionals, is an intermediate step to connecting Marylanders for therapy as necessary and can connect callers to crisis services. There is no commitment required, callers may give as little or as much information as they feel comfortable sharing, and may call as often as they need.
To reach PBC’s mental health WARMLine, call 410.598.0234 Monday through Friday 10AM–8PM, and 10AM–6PM on weekends.
