Caregiver Mental Wellness

Care Groups

Care Groups offer a safe virtual space for caregivers to connect monthly with peers experiencing similar life situations. Care Groups are held once a month for one hour via Zoom and are facilitated by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Mental Wellness Specialist and a Caregiver Peer Facilitator.

We offer four Care Groups, tailored to caregivers with the following experiences:

• Caregivers who care for someone with Post Traumatic Stress (The first Tuesday of the month at 5pm EST)
• Caregivers who care for someone under 60 (The second Tuesday of the month at 5pm EST)
• Caregivers who care for someone over 60 (The third Tuesday of the month at 5pm EST)
• Caregivers experiencing divorce or separation from their care recipient (The fourth Tuesday of the month at 5pm EST)

Care Groups are open to any military or veteran caregiver over the age of 18 whose caregiving experience aligns with the group topics. There is no commitment to attend every session, however we encourage you to join as often as you can. Care Groups are not mental health counseling nor therapy and are not a substitute for professional mental health advice, diagnosis, and/or treatment.

According to participant feedback:

• 100% of caregivers strongly agreed or agreed the Care Group provided them with a safe and welcoming space to share with peers about their caregiving experience
• 90% of caregivers strongly agree or agree that their experiences were validated by their peers during the Care Group
• 60% of caregivers reported that the Care Group “most definitely” helped them feel less isolated and alone in their experience, while 30% reported it “somewhat” helped

Providing one self-care practice before signing off each session has helped me to give myself what I need after an often long day of caregiving, difficult decision making, and other stressful events.

Mental Wellness Workshops

The Caregiver Mental Wellness Workshop is a 6-week virtual program for military and veteran caregivers to come together in a safe and structured space to reflect on their mental wellness experience as it relates to their role as a caregiver.

Participants will:

• Receive and provide support with peers;
• Identify and improve current coping strategies and knowledge of resources;
• Develop an understanding of how to practice self-care.

Workshop participants are mailed a workbook, caregiver mental wellness framework, and Starbucks gift card. The facilitated workshop is held once a week for one hour via Zoom.

According to participant feedback:

• 100% of caregivers strongly agree or agree that they have a better understanding of their mental wellness journey.
• 100% of caregivers strongly agree or agree that they felt supported by their peers during the workshop.
• 88% of caregivers strongly agree that the workshop provided them with a safe and welcoming space to reflect on their mental wellness journey.

The facilitators were really good about making sure everyone spoke up and was heard. It was also taught in such a way that it really made me think about myself and my mental wellness. Honestly, I’ve never given it much thought as it seems I’m always busy doing something or another. I almost didn’t sign up for the workshop but decided I wanted to hear what was being offered and I’m so glad I did. I’m still thinking and digesting the workshop in my mind and slowly realizing how I can do more for myself without sacrificing the care he gets.

Mental Wellness Book Club

Looking to learn about mental wellness, read great books, and build peer connection? Launched in Fall 2024, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Mental Wellness Book Club dives into a new mental wellness focused book each quarter. The book club meets via Zoom twice over the course of 3 months and members will stay connected via weekly emails full of book-related questions, journal prompts, and wellness ideas.

The Mental Wellness Book Club is facilitated by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Mental Wellness Specialist and is open to any military and veteran caregiver who is interested in investing in their mental wellness and connecting with other caregivers.

Participation is limited to 20 caregivers. We strongly encourage you to check your local library for the book, but if it’s not available the Foundation will mail you a copy.

According to participant feedback:

• 100% of caregivers strongly agree or agree that Book Club was a good use of their time
• 100% of caregivers would recommend Book Club to other caregivers
• 80% of caregivers reported that the book club “definitely” helped them reflect on or gain new insights about their own mental wellness

I recently had to place my husband in a VA state nursing home and felt quite a bit of loneliness and isolation during this transitional time in my caregiver journey. I still care for our daughter 24/7 at home and have had to make all decisions as a caregiver by myself. It has been such a God-sent to have Book Club to look forward to twice a month in conjunction with the Care Groups to help with filling this void in my life. Thank you for providing these opportunities. They have made such a difference to my mental wellness.

Don’t see registration link above? Fill out Interest Form below, and we will notify you when an offering is scheduled: