Helping Families Support Loved Ones with Mental Health Conditions
Supporting a loved one with a diagnosed mental illness is one of the most challenging realities a family can face. Unlike physical disabilities, which are often easier to understand, mental illness can feel more abstract and unpredictable. This makes it difficult for families to navigate not only the emotional toll but also the financial strain that often comes with providing care. Special Needs Financial Planning offers families a way to manage these complexities, ensuring long-term stability and support for their loved ones.
According to Faisal Al Hashim, Managing Director of Maxiam Capital, mental illness is particularly difficult because of its behavioral nature. “It’s not as straightforward as a physical disability,” he explains. “There’s a lot of unpredictability, and that can make families feel powerless. People with mental illnesses often struggle to access the care they need, and the system doesn’t always provide the right kind of support.”
The healthcare system is one of the biggest challenges families face when trying to help a loved one with a mental illness. Under-resourced and reactive, the system often falls short in providing the long-term care needed to stabilize and manage mental health. “Our system is designed to handle crises, not prevent them,” says Faisal. “Many individuals get placed on a temporary mental health hold, sent to the hospital, and then released without receiving the ongoing care they need. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break.”
This lack of sustained care places a significant burden on families, both emotionally and financially. For many individuals with mental illnesses, maintaining a job or building a career can be incredibly difficult. The financial pressure on families to support their loved one only adds to the stress. “The reality is that mental illness often makes it hard to establish a stable career, and that creates financial strain for the family,” Faisal explains. “On top of that, the emotional toll is enormous. Families are often left to figure things out on their own.”
One of the biggest hurdles is that individuals with mental illness, especially those over 18, must often choose to seek help for themselves. But for many, recognizing the need for help or having the capacity to pursue treatment is one of the hardest challenges. Without the right systems in place, families feel isolated, unsure of how to help, and even more financially strained.
This is where Special Needs Financial Planning becomes a critical tool. “Families are often left to rely on their own resources to help a loved one,” Faisal says. “And that can put incredible pressure on them. Having a financial plan in place—one that coordinates resources and maximizes what’s available—is key to ensuring long-term care.”
Maxiam Capital specializes in helping families develop financial strategies to support their loved ones with mental health challenges. By coordinating government benefits, healthcare funding, and long-term care plans, families can manage the financial pressures more effectively. “Our goal is to help families feel secure,” Faisal explains. “We want them to know that they have a plan in place, that they’ve taken the necessary steps to care for their loved one.”
Mental illness is a lifelong challenge for many families, and the healthcare system doesn’t always provide the right level of care. That’s where a strong financial plan can make all the difference. “We’ve seen families struggling not only with the emotional burden of caregiving but also with the financial strain it causes,” Faisal says. “By working together, we can alleviate some of that pressure, helping families focus on what really matters—their loved one’s well-being.”
One of the most overlooked aspects of mental illness is the long-term financial impact. Many individuals with mental illnesses have difficulty maintaining employment, which makes it hard for them to contribute financially. This, combined with the high cost of care, puts families in a difficult financial position. “Families don’t always realize just how expensive long-term care can be,” Faisal explains. “That’s why planning early and having a strategy is so important.”
Special Needs Financial Planning allows families to put a financial roadmap in place, ensuring that they can meet both immediate and long-term needs. It’s about more than just managing day- to-day expenses—it’s about ensuring that the family’s financial stability isn’t compromised. “We take a holistic approach,” Faisal says. “We look at the family’s full financial picture and make sure that there’s a plan for every stage of care, from immediate needs to long-term solutions.”
Ultimately, supporting a loved one with a mental illness is about more than just providing emotional support—it’s about being financially prepared for the journey. “Families dealing with mental health challenges need more than just a plan for today,” Faisal concludes. “They need a plan that ensures their loved one’s care for years to come. That’s where we step in.”
Through Special Needs Financial Planning, families can create a stable, long-term plan that protects both their financial future and the well-being of their loved ones.
Disclosure:
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Maxiam Capital. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or professional advice. All investments carry risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Maxiam Capital does not endorse or guarantee any third-party content’s accuracy, completeness, or reliability. The reader is solely responsible for any actions taken based on the information in this article and is strongly advised to seek financial advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.
