Vision Statement

Empowering caregivers to thrive and find balance in their caregiving journey, envisioning a world where caregivers’ mental and emotional well-being is prioritized, and where compassionate support and understanding is readily available in families, among friends, in communities, and our workforce.

What We Do….

  • Empowering Caregivers, Enriching Lives: Our mission is to empower caregivers with valuable knowledge and resources, enriching lives by providing information to foster caregivers’ mental and emotional well-being.
  • Strengthening Communities: We actively engage with communities, nonprofits, and civic groups through speaking engagements and educational initiatives, spreading awareness and techniques for supporting caregivers’ mental and emotional well-being.
  • Supportive Family Dynamics: Our educational outreach initiatives bring awareness to caregivers' families, actively equipping them to provide essential support to minimize potential anxiety, stress, depression, and prevent caregiver burnout.
  • Transforming Workplaces: Through our “Caregiver Advocate Business” program, education, and training, we foster cultural changes within small and large businesses to create caregiver-friendly work environments, fostering inclusivity, understanding, and compassion in the twenty-first century modern workplace.
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Board of Directors

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Carolyn Dowdy

Founder

Carolyn Dowdy, Founder of Caregiver Mental Wellness, possesses a diverse background as a compassionate caregiver, former Founder and Managing Member of a bank consulting firm, Vice President of Operations and Human Resources in banking, self-published author, and a key team member in two start-up banks in Georgia. She graduated from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Science in Business. She graduated from "The Graduate School of Financial Institutions Management" from the University of Texas in Austin. Her journey as a caregiver, prompted by her husband's stroke, fuels her dedication to raising awareness about sustaining caregivers' mental and emotional well-being and fostering caregiver-friendly workplace environments. This commitment and passion led her to found Caregiver Mental Wellness, Inc., a nonprofit organization in North Carolina.

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Karen S. Schnupp, Esq.

Karen S. Schnupp, an East Tennessee attorney with a background in caregiving, holds a deep passion for supporting caregivers. As a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee College of Law, she has thrived as a legal professional, enhancing her legal acumen, business expertise, and interpersonal insights. Partnering with various law firms and leading legal seminars, Karen’s diverse experiences have culminated in her understanding of people and effective public speaking. Juggling caregiving for an Alzheimer ’s-afflicted family member alongside a full-time legal career, she has cultivated profound patience and a comprehensive grasp of caregiver challenges. Recognizing the complexities of harmonizing caregiving and professional duties, she extends compassion and understanding for caregivers. She shares her wealth of knowledge to support others on their caregiving journeys while emphasizing the significance of self-care.

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Thomas Schnupp

Thomas Schnupp retired from an extensive career in the field of physical therapy with a specialty in Geriatric Physical Therapy. He worked at various healthcare type facilities in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, and currently resides in Concord, North Carolina. He dedicated his life to the field of Physical Therapy with a passion for supporting his care recipients. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Wheeling Jesuit College then attended Physical Therapy School at West Virginia University. Thomas continued his education and completed his master’s degree at the Medical College of Virginia. With a focus on home care, hospice care, an Alzheimer’s unit, and various skilled and extended care facilities, he gained extensive experience in elderly care. In addition to his extensive clinical experience, Thomas served on the faculty at Wheeling Jesuit University School of Physical Therapy.

With over thirty years of observing the various situations of caregivers in the home, he has a passion for supporting initiatives to support the well-being of caregivers. He witnessed the emotional toll on caregivers and championed mental well-being and support groups. Even in retirement his legacy continues to shine through as an advocate of caregivers’ well-being.

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