Market scope note: This article draws on sources from both Korea and the United States. Each piece of information is marked in the text with 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. to indicate which country it applies to.
When you spend each day by your parent's side, there comes a point where you no longer have the breathing room to check in on your own emotional state. Even if the thought crosses your mind that you should see a counselor, it is easy to talk yourself out of it — 'Is what I'm feeling really serious enough to see a professional?' But professional psychological counseling is not reserved only for people in severe crisis. Right now, in this moment of exhaustion, it is a tool meant for you.
🇺🇸 U.S. According to the 'Caregiving in the US 2025' report released by AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) in 2025, there are currently approximately 63 million family caregivers in the United States — an increase of about 50% from ten years ago. A joint report from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and NAC from the same year found that 64% of caregivers experience moderate or greater emotional stress, and that the average number of mentally unhealthy days per month reaches 7. As these numbers show, the difficulty caregivers face is not a personal weakness — it is a structural reality.
🇰🇷 Korea In Korea, public psychological counseling services are also available for caregivers. The Ministry of Health and Welfare's '전국민 마음투자 지원사업 (National Mind Investment Support Program)' is open to anyone who needs psychological counseling for depression, anxiety, or related concerns. It provides a voucher for 1-on-1 counseling sessions — a minimum of 50 minutes per session, for a total of 8 sessions. The user's out-of-pocket rate ranges from 0% to 30% depending on income level. Demand has been high, with approximately 55,000 people having applied between July 2024 and early February 2025, so it is advisable to apply promptly through your local 주민센터 (community center) or 복지로 (bokjiro.go.kr) before the budget runs out.
🇰🇷 Korea If you are caring for a family member with dementia, you can make active use of 치매안심센터 (Dementia Care Centers) and the 치매상담전화 (Dementia Counseling Hotline) at 1899-9988. Dementia Care Centers are established in every city, county, and district across the country, and they offer caregiver family education classes, self-help group support, individual counseling, and caregiving burden assessment services. Healing programs in which both the person with dementia and their caregiver can participate together are also offered, designed to reduce the psychological burden on both parties.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, the 988 crisis counseling line operated by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is also open to caregivers. In 2025 alone, more than 8 million calls, texts, and chat sessions were handled, and you can reach out even when you are not in crisis — for instance, when you are worried about a family member or the person you are caring for. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and Spanish interpretation services are also available. Korean-American caregivers can inquire about interpretation-supported counseling at local Korean community centers or mental health clinics. 🇺🇸 U.S. If you are caring for a veteran, the VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) Caregiver Support Program is another option. This program phased in virtual mental health therapy services over 2023 and 2024, and in fiscal year 2025, general-tier enrollment grew by 15% compared to the previous year, reaching approximately 28,500 people.
Deciding to seek counseling for the first time is not easy in itself. It is easy to convince yourself that you are 'still okay,' or to put it off because you have no time. Yet, as illustrated by '마음콜 (Maum Call)' — a telephone psychological counseling service for patient caregivers that 한국BMS제약 (Korea BMS Pharmaceutical) and the 한국상담학회 (Korean Counseling Association) have operated together every year since 2020 — close to 500 caregivers received help from professional counselors over five years. In a counseling session, simply giving voice to your burdens is more than enough. The strength to sort through your feelings and take the next step comes from exactly that.
If finding and applying for a program still feels overwhelming, Sierra Care Advisor can help you explore caregiver support resources in both Korea and the United States together.
Sources: AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), 'Caregiving in the US 2025'; NAMI and NAC joint report (2026); SAMHSA official 988 line announcement (January 2026); Ministry of Health and Welfare, '전국민 마음투자 지원사업' guide (2025); Seoul psychological counseling voucher program (2026); 한국상담학회 and 한국BMS제약, '마음콜' press release (December 2025); 찾기쉬운생활법령정보 (Easy-to-Find Living Law Information), support for dementia patients' families and caregivers (based on the 2026 dementia policy program guide); VA Caregiver Support Program GAO report (April 2026).
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.