Safeguard mental health with these tips

No one is immune to issues that can adversely affect their mental health, including men and women nearing retirement age and those who are already retired. Though the term golden years suggests life in retirement is one sunny day after another, many individuals 60 and older deal with mental health issues.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 15% of the world’s adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder. What makes that statistic even more troubling is that the WHO acknowledges it likely doesn’t paint the most accurate picture of seniors and mental health, as depression is often undiagnosed among older men and women and untreated because it co-occurs with other issues affecting seniors.

In the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has acknowledged that late-life anxiety was not readily understood. However, much progress has been made in recent years, thanks to a heightened awareness of the problem of seniors and mental health. That means seniors now have ample resources they can look to as they seek to learn what they can do to safeguard their mental health. Recognizing the signs of mental health issues is the first step to getting treatment. Mental health issues vary, and people with anxiety MENTAL HEALTH

will likely experience different symptoms than those with depression. The following are some of the warning signs of mental health issues.

• Noticeablechangesinmood, energy level or appetite.

• Feelingflatorhavingtrouble feeling positive emotions.

• Difficultysleepingorsleeping too much.

• Difficultyconcentrating,feeling restless, or on edge.

• Feeling stressed.

• Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness.

• Ongoingheadaches,digestive issues or pain.

• Misuse of alcohol or drugs

• Sadness or hopelessness, suicidal thoughts.

• Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior.

• Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life.

• Engaging in thinking or behavior that is concerning to others.

• Seeing, hearing, and feeling things that other people do not see, hear, or feel.

As noted, a growing awareness of mental health issues and how they affect older adults has translated to more available resources for aging men and women who need help. Within the United States, seniors can visit www.nimh.nih.gov/health/ find-help to access contact information for various groups that help people in times of mental health crises.

The National Institute on Aging notes that most cases of depression cannot be prevented. However, healthy lifestyle changes can have long-term benefits on older adults’ mental health. Such changes include:

• Being physically active.

• Eatingahealthydietthatcan reduce risk for disability and depression.

• Getting adequate sleep, which for seniors is between seven to nine hours per night.

• Remaining socially active, including regular contact with friends and family

• Participating in activities you enjoy.

• Sharing mental issues or concerns with friends, family members and your physician.

People who are vulnerable to mental health issues can learn more about how to combat them at nimh.nih.gov.

—MetroCreativeConnection