Martin Luther King Jr. once said that only light can drive out darkness. Darkness exists in the world through stigmas. Many of these false beliefs relate to mental health.
The first step is turning on the flashlight by identifying the problem. What is mental health stigma?
Senior living in Three Rivers, MI, offers a town where multiple rivers converge. It also mixes natural beauty, history, and urban delights.
How does mental health stigma affect older adults? Read on for the answer to all your questions.
The answer to how stigmas relate to mental health is complex.
There are several types of false beliefs or prejudices about the mind.They exist at every level, from the highest to the most personal.
Structural mental health stigma is at the highest level. It deals with anything in society that can make mental health care more difficult to access.
These could include laws or policies. Low funding for mental health research is another example.
Public mental health stigma refers to untrue beliefs held by the general public about mental health.
Schizophrenia means you're dangerous. Depression means you're lazy. These are just a few examples.
These myths have been perpetuated for so long that many people now accept them as truth.
Personal stigma is at the lowest level. It refers to untrue or unfair beliefs that a person with mental health struggles has about themselves.
Questions like "Why can't I just snap out of my depression?" or "Why am I still struggling with addiction?" highlight personal stigma.
These can be the most damaging of all. They can ruin overall wellness at any age.
Once you've answered the question of "what is mental health stigma," the next step is to think about what it does to older adults.
There's a type of stigma that affects seniors exclusively. Moreover, when seniors start to accept stigmas, it can change their entire view of life.
Aging and stigma, unfortunately, go together too often. Ageism is the general term for the stigmas associated with seniors.
Many of them relate to mental health. False beliefs include the idea that all seniors develop mental health issues, and if they do, they cannot be productive members of society.
These examples illustrate how breaking free from mental health stigma becomes even more difficult for seniors.
According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, approximately one in three older adults reports feeling lonely and isolated. This is often the direct result of stigma.
They may experience rejection from others who find out they're struggling with their mental health. They may also fear judgment and rejection so deeply that they isolate themselves.
It can be a gradual process. They may start by turning down a few invitations or avoiding public amenities at assisted living in Three Rivers, Michigan. It can snowball from there into a serious issue.
Stigma is the opposite of medication for mental health. It's a recipe for disaster concerning senior mental wellness.
It's particularly harmful in the context of depression. According to America's Health Rankings, approximately 14.7% of seniors have been diagnosed with the condition.
Depression already comes with feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Personal or public stigmas only make them worse. Stigmas are lies, but so are the thoughts depression brings. When you hear both, they can seem to confirm each other.
Stigmas are a common reason for refusing to seek health care at any age. Seniors might fear judgment from those who discover that they're in treatment.
They may also believe stigmas about mental health treatment, such as that it changes your personality or that talking about your emotions makes them worse. Myths like these can steer you away from treatment.
This is dangerous because the need for seniors to receive proper mental health care is reaching record levels. According to researchers at McLean Hospital, adults 65 or older are at the highest risk of suicide.
Stigmas do more than ruin your emotional health. They can even be deadly. Emotional age caring.
If mental health stigma is so pervasive and serious, how can anyone combat it?
No one should expect to remove the problem entirely. It's a systemic issue. What you can do is take little steps to remove false beliefs and let in the light.
The only way to drive out stigma is with the light of truth.
Senior awareness campaigns can help dispel the most common myths. They can be as simple as handing out flyers or hosting events with professional speakers. Community members can hear the truth about senior mental health and spread it.
Senior living in Three Rivers, Michigan, can help. Setting up events at these communities makes the truth available to everyone, including those who may need to hear it the most.
One-on-one communication makes efforts to reduce stigma feel more personal and practical. Seniors should talk about their struggles with their families. They can help dispel any misconceptions.
Senior living can also help by encouraging these interactions. Invite visitors to assisted living in Three Rivers, Michigan. Have them talk with a senior who struggles with mental health issues so they know what it's actually like to face them.
Seniors may need encouragement to seek out behavioral health support. That includes therapy and medications.
The longer they delay seeking help, the more severe their symptoms may become. Professional support is an essential component of emotional care in aging.
What is mental health stigma? It's a set of false beliefs that have been around for a long time. They're particularly detrimental for seniors. The best ways to fight back are to spread accurate information in a supportive community.
Lakehouse Three Rivers is an assisted living community in Three Rivers, Michigan. We offer modern conveniences and amenities. You can also explore the beautiful natural campus and the nearby neighborhood.
Everything we do is focused on helping you live the life you deserve. Contact us to join our community today.