Supporting a loved one with mental illness leaves many caregivers exhausted and unsupported

A growing number of people in Finland are struggling with the emotional and practical burden of caring for a loved one with severe mental health issues, often without adequate support, reports Yle.

Henna Ullgren, 31, from Kuopio, experienced firsthand the toll of supporting a close relative through severe depression and anxiety. For years, she managed household tasks, attended medical appointments, and provided constant emotional support—yet felt her own well-being was overlooked by healthcare providers.

“My body and mind were in a constant state of overdrive,” Ullgren said. Even brief moments of personal joy triggered guilt, as she questioned whether she deserved happiness while her loved one suffered. During a trip to Helsinki, she recalled feeling intense remorse for enjoying a day out instead of checking in on her relative.

Ullgren’s experience reflects a broader trend. According to the Finnish Central Association for Mental Health (FinFami), an estimated 500,000 Finns—many of them young adults—care for someone with mental illness. These caregivers often face isolation, financial strain, and heightened risk of developing their own mental health challenges.

A 2024 report by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare noted that even children and teens are increasingly taking on emotional responsibility for peers in crisis, further straining their own well-being.

While Finland’s healthcare system provides treatment for patients, advocates say caregivers like Ullgren are frequently left without resources. Peer support groups and counseling have been critical for Ullgren’s recovery, but she emphasizes that systemic change is needed to address the silent burden on families.