At Laila’s Gift, our mission isn’t only about celebrating milestones—it is also about caring for the well-being of the caregivers themselves. That’s why we’ve partnered with Mind Shape® to co-develop Mind Shape® for Caregivers, a mental wellness program specifically tailored to support those caring for children with intellectual/developmental disabilities(IDD) and medical complexity.
Caregiving involves physical, emotional, and financial demands that often put caregivers under chronic stress. Some key indicators show the urgency:
These findings underscore that caregiver support can’t wait—mental wellness is a crucial component of lifelong health, which directly impacts both the family unit and the capacity to provide care.
Through our partnership with Mind Shape®, we are building a program that includes:
The Mind Shape® for Caregivers program was created by caregivers, for caregivers—because no one understands the unique pressures, joys, and challenges of this role better than those who live it every day.
Family caregivers often pour all of their energy into supporting their loved ones, leaving little room to care for their own mental and emotional well-being. This program was designed to change that narrative. Built on the lived experiences of parents, siblings, and family members who have walked the care giving journey, Mind Shape® for Caregivers offers practical tools, guidance, and community support that speak directly to the realities caregivers face.
By addressing the six Adverse Mind Inhibitors (AMIs)—guilt, neglect, betrayal, insecurity, resentment, and grief—the program equips caregivers with stress management and resilience practices, mindfulness strategies, peer connections, and personalized coaching.
These tools are designed to strengthen mental health, empowering caregivers to continue showing up for their families without losing themselves in the process. This is more than just a wellness program—it is a movement to remind caregivers that their health matters, their stories matter, and their voices deserve to be heard.
Guilt is a complicated feeling. It's that pang of remorse or regret you get when you feel like you've done something wrong, or when you haven't lived up to your own sense of what's right.
Neglect is a feeling of being abandoned or unimportant. It often comes from not getting the attention, care, or support you need from other people.
Betrayal is a deep, hurtful feeling. It's that disappointment and pain you feel when someone breaks your trust or doesn't follow through on a promise, often leaving you feeling lost or vulnerable.
Insecurity is a feeling of self-doubt and uncertainty. It's that lack of confidence in your own abilities or worth, and it often leads to anxiety when you're around other people or in relationships.
Insecurity is a feeling of self-doubt and uncertainty. It's that lack of confidence in your own abilities or worth, and it often leads to anxiety when you're around other people or in relationships.
Resentment is a feeling of bitterness and indignation. It comes from feeling like you've been treated unfairly, experienced an injustice, or had your expectations unmet.
Grief is a profound and complex emotional reaction to loss, especially the death of someone you love. It's marked by a whole range of feelings, like sadness, longing, confusion, and even anger.
Take the free quiz to better understand your Mind Shape
This program is rooted in our mission to strengthen, support, and bring joy to Sun flower Families. By investing in caregiver mental wellness, we help ensure that families have the emotional and psychological support they need—not just to celebrate victories, but to sustain daily life. Mind Shape for Caregivers complements our existing programs(celebrations, sibling support, legislative advocacy) by attending to the often unseen stresses caregivers carry.
Stay tuned: very soon we’ll share more about how you can take part in Mind Shape® for Caregivers—enrollment details, schedules, and how to connect. If this sounds like something your family could benefit from, please reach out and let us know.
