Tag: depression

Paying Attention to Mental Health

This display from Minnesota is a reminder that today is the first day of Mental Health Awareness Month. May has been set aside since 1949 to raise awareness about mental illness and fight the stigma surrounding it.

Of course, mental health is important in every stage of our lives, but there are certain aspects that are of particular interest to older adults. It is estimated that about 7% of older adults worldwide are affected by mental illness, often related to decline in physical health, loss of loved ones, and social isolation. Up to twice as many suffer from anxiety that can manifest itself in many ways. Dementia is not considered a mental illness but depression can often mimic the symptoms and/occur along with it. Finally, there is growing concern that older adults may misuse alcohol and prescriptions drugs.

The risk factors for mental illness in older adulthood can stem from conditions that appear later in life–both physical and otherwise. Chronic health conditions, disability, uncontrolled pain, and other physiological issues can challenge a person’s mental well-being. While adults are living longer, they often do so with a greater sense of loneliness and isolation coupled with a loss of independence. Add to this major life transitions such as retirement, loss of a partner, or moving to an assisted living facility, and older adults find their mental health can be quite fragile.

Look many physical conditions, mental health can be treated. There are options such as talk therapy as well as medications. The best treatment, though, is prevention. As we age, the more involved we are in social settings, the more we exercise and eat properly, and the more regularly we visit our health professionals, the more likely we are to stave off mental illness or be able to treat it if it does occur.

May is a good time to reflect on how we are doing, and how those around us are doing. Get educated and make sure to talk to a medical professional if you are worried about your mental health or that of a loved one.

Have a great May everyone!

Social Connection and Wellness

August is National Wellness Month. This month aims to promote overall well-being by encouraging individuals to focus on their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It provides an opportunity for people to engage in self-care activities, learn about healthy lifestyle choices, connect with others and build support systems, explore wellness resources and programs, and prioritize their well-being in the workplace. 

Over the years, I have blogged regularly about the importance of exercise, proper diet, and getting plenty of rest. This is the triumvirate of creating a healthy lifestyle. I recently read an article in the 2025 IDEA Fitness Journal (Issue 2) that talks about another key aspect of wellness that we may not often consider: social connection.  Social connectedness, defined as the feeling of belonging and having close social bonds, is not merely a pleasant aspect of life but a critical determinant of both physical and mental health. The absence of meaningful social connections, characterized by social isolation and loneliness, can act as a chronic stressor, triggering biological responses that negatively affect the immune system, cardiovascular health, and the body’s ability to manage stress.

What can we do to increase our social connections? The answer does not just apply to joining a gym or a group fitness class. Social connections can be found with family, friends, religious communities, fellow workers and students, just to name a few. Social connections do not just happen; as a matter of fact, the deterioration of social connections if often outside of our control. Moving to a new community, losing a life partner, or getting a new job can lead to isolation. It is a growing problem as adults are living longer and families are spread out over larger geographical areas.

First steps to increasing social connections might include talking to a medical provider, a clergy person, or the local library or government center. Doctors and other medical professionals often have the resources and can make referrals to places where help is available. Houses of worship often have outreach teams or ministries that work to make sure no one feels alone. Finally, libraries and local commissions on aging or community centers have programs on a regular basis that serve to edify individuals but also create an environment for making friends.

Loneliness is not just a feeling. Research shows that it can have negative health and wellness consequences. If you have been looking for motivation to “put yourself out there,” or even if you are reticent to do so, August–National Wellness Month– is the time to take that first step. It is key to your physical and mental health and well-being.