Eden Foundation's Fountain Clubhouse launched the “Hotline for Caregivers of Psycho-social Disability” in 2015. On the morning of the 19th, Dec. it held a press conference titled “Ten Years of the Hotline: Community Support Must Be Adequate, Accompanying Families in need to Find Their Way Out”, reviewing the hotline's decade of service and releasing the handbook 〈Caregiver's Guide to Peace of Mind: Living Well Together〉. Concurrently, leading organizations, experts, and policy advocates in related fields gathered to present four key demands. With strong support from Mr. Ink Yin, Executive Board Director of Eden Foundation, Mrs. Claire Wang, Chairperson of New Power Party, and various groups, they demonstrated their resolve to build a collaborative support network.
Marking its 10th anniversary, Eden's Hotline for Caregivers of Psycho-social Disability presents four key demands, urging swift implementation of community resources.
Over the past decade, the Hotline for Caregivers of Psycho-social Disability has answered over 23,000 calls, supporting more than 2,500 caregivers. Call data reveals that inquiries about “community resources” constitute the largest category of information needs among caregivers, accounting for 20% of all consultations. Compared to medical knowledge, subsidy systems, or legal issues, caregivers urgently need guidance on how to apply for, access, and utilize community services such as day care, rehabilitation facilities, residential placements, and employment support. For most families, the burden of caring for someone with psycho-social disability extends beyond medical care—it lies heavily in managing “daily life.” When community services fail to bridge this gap, families are often left shuttling back and forth between hospitals and home.
Consequently, Eden Foundation, in collaboration with the Alliance for the Mentally Illness of R. O . C., Taiwan, the Taiwan Mad Alliance, the Family Link, and the author of the acclaimed work 〈Going Home〉that Professor Fang-Pei Chen, Department of Social Welfare, National Chung Cheng University, jointly propose four key demands: 1. Families affected by psycho-social disability require “accessible and effective” community support; 2. Community support must be deeply integrated into daily life, providing a safety net during every family's moments of crisis; 3. Community support must be diverse, preventing families from bearing the care burden alone; 4. Implement the spirit of “participatory” in services, making peer communities a pillar of community support. We urge the swift implementation of community resources to build a more resilient community support network for families affected by psycho-social disability.
Eden collaborates with relevant organizations and experts to propose: Community support must be accessible, integrated, diverse, and participatory
Eden Foundation states that the Mental Health Act amendment explicitly mandates strengthening community support systems in 2022. At this pivotal moment of policy implementation and transition, we urge all sectors to recognize the diverse needs of families affected by psycho-social disability in community living. We call for integrating relevant resources to promote community support that is highly accessible, flexible, participatory, and conducive to shared growth.
Eden collaborated with caregivers and survivors of psychiatry to create the 〈Caregiver's Guide to Peace of Mind: Living Well Together〉, the publics are welcome to request a copy by sending a private message to Eden's Facebookfan page: popularcrazy.
In recent years, Eden have promoted diverse support programs such as the Knock Knock Home Visit Team and Caregiver Support Gatherings. Since the year before last, it has also partnered with volunteer teams comprising caregivers, survivors of psychiatry, and others to compile and produce the〈Caregiver's Peace of Mind Guide: Living Well Together〉. This guide presents common challenges and suggested coping strategies in simple, accessible language. It aims to prevent families from navigating complex resource networks alone and serves as a vital tool for promoting community support. Those interested may request a copy by send a private message to our Facebook fan page: “popularcrazy”!
Hsin-Yen, a dedicated hotline volunteer and family member of someone with psycho-social disability, was invited to share her journey and personal reflections. Hsin-Yen shared that during her formative years, her mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Later, while pursuing her master's degree, her younger brother also developed the illness. Though studying away from home prevented her from providing direct care, she witnessed the challenges firsthand—from her brother's involuntary hospitalization and subsequent lack of resources post-discharge, to navigating community rehabilitation centers, clubhouses and employment services. This journey taught her that community support resources must not only be accessible but also tailored to individual needs. Hsin-Yen explained that her motivation for becoming a hotline volunteer stems from a desire to empathize with family members' needs based on her own experiences. She aims to assist them in navigating their internal struggles and misconceptions, while also preparing herself for the journey ahead in caregiving.
Hsin-Yen, a hotline volunteer who is also a caregiver for people with psycho-social disability, shares her personal experience
Marking its 10th anniversary, Eden's Hotline for Caregivers of Psycho-social Disability has expanded from telephone services to community support. Eden's Fountain Community Family Support Center will continue providing disease-related knowledge, social welfare resource connections, caregiver courses and lectures, caregiver support and empowerment groups, and advocacy for caregiver policies and rights—accompanying families on their journey. Service hours are Monday through Friday, 1:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Family members and friends of people with psycho-social disability in need are welcome to call for consultation: (02) 2230-8830.
