{"id":7391,"date":"2025-11-10T09:40:28","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T09:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/?p=7391"},"modified":"2026-03-19T09:11:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T09:11:47","slug":"7391","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/7391\/","title":{"rendered":"2nd Event \u201cCaregivers and Mental Resilience\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Friday, 5 December 2025 \u2013 French Institute of Greece<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mental resilience is a fundamental factor for family caregivers of people living with chronic illness or disability. The caregiving role entails continuous emotional, practical, and social demands, profoundly affecting the caregiver\u2019s daily life. Strengthening resilience through information, psychoeducation, and supportive networks helps reduce stress, prevent burnout, and improve the quality of life for both caregiver and care recipient.<\/p>\n

With this in mind, EPIONI organised the 2nd event \u201cCaregivers and Mental Resilience\u201d<\/strong>, highlighting scientific approaches, good practices, and experiential perspectives that empower caregiving by first supporting the caregiver.<\/p>\n

The event was held under the auspices of the Region of Attica<\/strong>, the Hellenic Psychiatric Association<\/strong>, and the Hellenic Brain Council<\/strong>, with free admission and the option to participate via Zoom.<\/p>\n

The sponsors of the event were Boehringer Ingelheim, Vianex, and the Saronikos Nephrology Center, while the media sponsors were Iatronet, HealthDaily, Daily Health, and Psychology Now.<\/p>\n

\"\"Key Points from the Presentations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Enhancing Neuroplasticity for Mental Resilience<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Christina Dalla, Professor of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prof. Dalla presented the role of neuroplasticity and cognitive flexibility in coping with stress. Learning, social interaction, art, physical activity, quality sleep, and mindfulness practices all enhance the brain\u2019s adaptive capacity, forming the foundation of mental resilience.<\/p>\n

\n

Training Informal Caregivers by Professional Nurses<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ioannis Anastasiou, Nurse \u2013 Co-founder of Instahealth<\/strong><\/p>\n

The presentation emphasised that educating caregivers is a crucial empowerment tool. Providing practical skills, psychological support, and structured guidance reduces stress, boosts confidence, and improves the quality of care provided to the patient.<\/p>\n

\n

Psychosocial Adjustment in Chronic Kidney Disease<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Eirini Zormpa, Deputy Head, Hemodialysis & Peritoneal Dialysis Unit, Attikon University Hospital<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ms. Zormpa highlighted the multifaceted challenges faced by individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and their families\u2014psychological strain, lifestyle restrictions, economic burden, and social limitations. Particular emphasis was placed on family support, caregiver education, active participation in treatment, and strengthening caregiver resilience.<\/p>\n

\n

Preventing Somatization \u2013 Dance Movement Psychotherapy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Anda Paizi, Dance Therapist \u2013 Psychotherapist<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ms. Paizi presented the frequent occurrence of somatic symptoms among caregivers due to chronic stress. Understanding the mind\u2013body connection, practicing mindful breathing, and engaging in dance movement psychotherapy were shown to support stress regulation and enhance resilience.<\/p>\n

\n

Care and Self-Care: Two Interconnected Circles<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Artemis Aletra, Social Worker \u2013 Psychotherapist<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ms. Aletra described caregiving and self-care as two interrelated circles that continuously influence each other. The quality of caregiving depends directly on the caregiver\u2019s ability to care for themselves\u2014an essential prerequisite rather than a luxury.<\/p>\n

Through a practical therapeutic example, she illustrated how a small act of self-regulation\u2014a deep breath, relaxing the shoulders, reconnecting with the body\u2014can immediately improve the caregiver\u2013care recipient relationship:
\n\u201cWhen I breathe, the relationship breathes.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

She also referred to common challenges (overwork culture, guilt, systemic pressures) and simple strategies for strengthening resilience, such as micro-breaks, boundary-setting rituals, peer support, and self-kindness. The overlap of the two circles creates a space of balance that reduces burnout and empowers the caregiver.<\/p>\n

\n

When Caregiving Becomes Identity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Katerina Sameli, Health Psychologist \u2013 Systemic Psychotherapist<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ms. Sameli highlighted how long-term caregiving can gradually absorb the individual and become part of their identity, often leading to guilt, burnout, and neglect of personal needs. She stressed the importance of boundaries, support, and self-care, reminding participants that:
\n\u201cA caregiver is much more than their role.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

The Cycles of Care \u2013 A Systemic Perspective<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kyriaki Fotiadou, Psychologist MSc \u2013 Systemic Psychotherapist<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ms. Fotiadou presented caregiving as a process embedded in a broader relational system. Mental resilience arises through family and social support, flexible role distribution, open communication, and relational connection. The caregiver is also part of the \u201ccycle of care\u201d and deserves support.<\/p>\n

\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The event underscored that mental resilience is essential for sustainable caregiving. Empowering caregivers through education, support, self-regulation, and strong systemic connections contributes to more humane, effective, and balanced care.<\/p>\n

The event was supported by Bodossaki Lectures on Demand \u2013 BLOD<\/strong>, where the related material was published. (https:\/\/www.blod.gr\/lectures\/2i-imerida-frontistes-kai-psyhiki-anthektikotita\/)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Friday, 5 December 2025 \u2013 French Institute of Greece Mental resilience is a fundamental factor for family caregivers of people living with chronic illness or disability. The caregiving role entails continuous emotional, practical, and social demands, profoundly affecting the caregiver\u2019s daily life. Strengthening resilience through information, psychoeducation, and supportive networks helps reduce stress, prevent burnout, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7424,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34,43,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mental-health","category-news-for-family-carers","category-uncategorized","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7391","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7391"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7533,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7391\/revisions\/7533"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7424"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epioni.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}