4 loved ones mentally ill at the same time :( <3

Hello there,

This is my first time posting here, thanks for reading.

Right now, I think I am experiencing carer's burnout or something.

I am from a big, loving family (I have 2 brothers and 3 sisters) but mentall illness runs through my family. I have had issues with my mental health but I saught help about it many years ago (in my late 20s) and have been seeing a psychologist for many years and am very careful to manage it and stay on top of it. But right now, I am feeling overwhelmed.

One of my sisters and one of my brothers are both currently going through major depression/anxiety/mental breakdown episodes, my Dad is in hospital with physical issues and rapidly declining mental health (dementia and anxiety attacks) and my best friend of 20 years is suicidally depressed. I think I am quite strong mentally and I have studied psychology and done counselling in the past so I tend to step into this crisis situations and know how to help people out of them. But it's all happening at once right now and I'm struggling to cope. I'm doing my very best to look after myself, and everyone keeps reminding me to look after myself, but it's really hard - you know?

The bit that is really hard, but also a huge privelage, is that these 4 people have all turned to me in their lowest point - I'm the one they feel safest with. My sister and best friend have told me I'm their lifeline. I am really glad I can be that for my loved ones, but there's only so much pulling people out of deep dark holes that one person can take, you know? Just as my sister as pulled through, my best friend called and was suicidal, then getting through a crisis moment with her, my brother called and has hit absolute rock bottom and tried to check himself into hospital (he is in another state, going through a divorce and has no family there).

Today I'm having the day off away from everyone. It sucks because I would like to catch up with friends but I don't feel up to it. Also feel like my body is caving in and coming down with a cold. Perhaps it's my body's way of telling me to stop too.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my story and hope that someone reading might understand or might have some tips.

Thank you,

MsCareALot