Mental health beyond the years

Every day, more and more people are willing to have conversations about the importance of mental health and to ask for help when they need it. However, this is a very recent trend in which older generations rarely participate. Historical prejudices and the silence surrounding emotional well-being tend to greatly hinder older adults from easily accessing mental health services. The situation is so recurrent that we are currently faced with an alarming crisis.

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According to the World Health Organization (WHO), at least one in four older adults experiences a mental disorder, such as depression, anxiety, or dementia. And this number is expected to double by 2030 due to the natural aging of the population. Among all conditions, geriatric depression is the most common disorder in older people. However, only one-third of the older adult population with emotional well-being problems receive specialized professional care for their disorder. For this reason, the suicide rate in people aged 85 and over is significantly higher than that of any other age group.

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What makes this group of people more vulnerable to mental health problems? In a nutshell, life. Over the course of their lives, older adults accumulate many experiences of joy, love and celebration, but also of transformation, loss, and sadness. As if that weren't enough, starting at 60, human beings are exposed to a series of impetuous changes: retirement, the loss of loved ones in the same age range and various debilitating diseases. All of these factors can lead to feelings of restlessness, stress, and sadness that can be difficult to process.

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If you are in contact with an older adult and are concerned about their emotional well-being, some of the most common signs What you might be having a difficult time are: noticeable changes in mood, lack of energy or appetite, difficulty sleeping or sleeping excessively, problems with concentration, constant worries, irritability, persistent headaches, excessive alcohol or drug use, feelings of sadness or despair, thoughts of death or suicide, high-risk behaviors that interfere with work, family or social life. In more serious cases, some older adults may also experience compulsive behavior and hallucinations.

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Fortunately, there are things you can do to promote mental health in your loved one. Here are some effective strategies:

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1. Active mind, living mind: Just as the body needs physical activity to stay healthy, the brain needs stimulation to prevent cognitive decline. Reading, learning a new language, playing a musical instrument, solving puzzles, or taking up a new hobby can help you keep your mental skills up to date.
2. Exercise is for life: Low-impact physical activities, such as walking, yoga or dancing, are essential for maintaining a positive attitude and a healthy body.
3. We all need connection: We are social beings! Keeping in touch with friends and loved ones will help you combat loneliness and depression. New technologies, such as video calls and chats, can also help preserve social life.
4. Pets to the rescue: Taking care of a dog, a cat or even a parakeet helps us to have a purpose and a reason to wake up every day. In addition, pets provide companionship, reduce stress, increase happiness and reduce loneliness.

It's never too late to go to therapy: Psychological therapy is powerful and transformative, regardless of the patient's age. This type of therapeutic support can help them to process the physical changes of old age, to deal with losses and to develop useful emotional tools to go through all the transformations that come with age. If the older adult close to you is willing to try new solutions, you can try downloading Mindsurf on your phone. The application is super easy to use and you will find specialized courses, meditations and support groups that will help you regain your emotional well-being.