Having good mental health is important for our quality of life, but so many barriers exist to getting treatment and support for mental illness. According to the National Council on Aging, two-thirds of mature adults with mental health disorders don't get the treatment and support they need. Many reasons exist for seniors not getting mental health care, including the stigma surrounding mental health in general.
So, "What is stigma in mental health?" Unfortunately, even though mental health conditions are extremely prevalent in the older population, there continue to be negative stereotypes surrounding aging. Many people believe that feeling lonely or unhappy as we age is normal, but those feelings are anything but that.
There are steps seniors and their support systems can take to reduce the stigma about mental health and help those in need. Thankfully, the city of Lewisville includes access to many mental health care services for seniors. This blog will discuss how addressing stigma can improve quality of life and mental health outcomes for seniors.
Even though mental health conditions are more accepted and understood than they were in the past, many communities and people hold negative beliefs about those with mental health concerns. Stigma means that a person negatively views another because of a certain attribute or characteristic. This can refer to several things, such as:
It's discrimination when someone treats another person poorly because of their mental illness. However, that doesn't stop it from happening.
Stigma occurs when a person is defined by their mental health instead of who they are as a person. Discrimination and stigma can make the individual's mental health problems worse. Seniors may avoid seeking help for their mental health conditions because of the stigma attached to them.
There are several types of stigma associated with mental health, including:
As we mentioned earlier, the majority of seniors with mental health concerns don't seek help. One of the primary reasons behind that is stigma. Many seniors are afraid of being judged and having a negative experience if they ask for support.
Some of the negative impacts stigma has on mental health include:
Older adults are just as likely to be affected by mental health conditions as younger adults. Some of the disorders they can deal with include:
In many cases, if someone deals with these when they're younger, they're often lifelong conditions that follow them into retirement. Their symptoms can get worse without consistent mental health treatment.
Some life experiences may cause a senior to deal with mental health hurdles even if they haven't previously, such as:
On top of feeling the burden of stigma for their mental health issues, seniors also run into the impact of ageism. Ageism is the discrimination and prejudice that seniors face because of their age.
Seniors with mental health problems are already dealing with challenges due to their age. Having to ask for assistance with their health puts an additional burden on them. This can manifest in various ways, such as:
Stigma is one of the major barriers to getting diagnosed and treated. Seniors also can't recover from their mental health condition without those two elements. Failing to seek help can worsen their mental health.
They may have challenges maintaining relationships and becoming more isolated than they already are.
Stigma also has a major impact on how older adults feel about themselves. They may feel less valued and respected if they believe others are judging them due to their mental health condition.
There are ways seniors and others can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. Changing our perspective about mental health can help us take the first step forward to getting help.
While the burden of reducing negative talk about their mental health shouldn't be entirely on the senior, there are ways they can advocate for themselves. A few ways include:
Being educated is one of the best ways to reduce the stigma surrounding senior mental health. Other tips include:
Taking these steps will ensure seniors feel supported when dealing with their mental health.
We hope we've answered the question of "What is stigma in mental health?" and how it applies to seniors. Improving your mental wellness education is essential to identifying signs of those who need assistance around you. Addressing the stigma and senior support gap is essential to creating a space where older adults feel heard.
At Discovery Village Castle Hills, we prioritize physical and emotional care in assisted living. From compassionate staff to engaging programs that foster connection and purpose, our community is focused on supporting our residents. Contact us to learn how our commitment to emotional wellness and memory care awareness makes a difference.