What Is Mental Health Stigma and How Does It Affect Older Adults?
Up to 25% percent of US adults 65 and older have a mental health condition, as confirmed by the National Council on Aging. Despite the alarming number, many seniors don't seek help.
In a vibrant city like Durham, NC, where a rich history meets a thriving arts scene, older adults should thrive emotionally. But the reality is different for many, due to stigma.
What is mental health stigma, and what are its effects? Read on to understand the issue and discover how TerraBella Durham can support your loved one.
Why Older Adults in Durham Are at Risk of Mental Health Conditions
Growing older comes with a lot of changes, and some are difficult to manage. These changes can affect your loved ones' mental and emotional health.
For instance, once they retire, they may lose their daily structure and sense of purpose. The passing of a spouse or close friend can also lead to intense grief and loneliness. Other challenges that may affect your loved one as they age include:
- Physical health issues
- Mobility changes
- The need to move into memory care in Durham
Many older adults in Durham live alone, which increases the risk of loneliness and mental health challenges.
If you don't check in on your loved one often, you might not notice their emotional problems for a long time. They might also not realize that what they are experiencing is something they can get help for.
Uncover the Problem: What Is Mental Health Stigma?
Mental health stigma refers to judging people unfairly because they're dealing with emotional or cognitive challenges. The judgments often come from long-held beliefs that mental illness is a weakness or something to be ashamed of.
They can be harmful because they create fear and shame. The judgments also influence older adults who may already be feeling vulnerable to stay silent about their struggles.
Stigma manifests as both public and self-stigma. Public stigma occurs when society sees people with mental health issues as:
- Unstable
- Broken
- Weak
While others may not say it out loud, their actions, like avoiding someone or making insensitive jokes, send a negative message. They can cause your loved one to feel like they don't belong due to their mental health state.
Self-stigma often results from frequent exposure to public stigma. If your loved one hears negative messages about their condition, they may start to believe them. Instead of asking for help, they'll feel like a burden and fear looking weak.
Many seniors grew up during a period of high mental health stigma. Adults at the time didn't openly discuss emotions. Besides, they considered therapy unhelpful and often labeled emotional struggles as part of life.
So, when your loved one feels overwhelmed or anxious, they might think they should be able to handle the issues on their own. Such a kind of thinking then keeps them from speaking up or asking their loved ones for help.
The Effects of Mental Health Stigma
The effects of mental health stigma go beyond embarrassment. They can deeply affect your loved one's life and lead to a crisis. Here's how stigma quietly causes harm every day.
Resistance to Treatment or Help
Stigma can make your loved one resist accepting help, even when they need it most. They may do things such as:
- Downplay symptoms
- Brush off your concerns
- Refuse counseling and medication
Unfortunately, without proper care, emotional struggles will worsen over time.
Compromised Physical Health
Mental health has a powerful impact on the body. When your loved one has untreated depression or anxiety, their physical health often suffers too. They may experience issues such as:
- Reduced appetite
- Poor immunity
- High blood pressure
- Weight fluctuation
Poor mental health can also cause your loved one to stop following their doctor's instructions. They might fail to take medication or cancel important appointments. While they may care about their health, they might feel too overwhelmed to manage everything.
Failing to keep up with physical health needs then leads to more health issues. Additionally, it increases hospital visits and reduces your loved one's overall well-being.
Increased Isolation
Self-stigma will affect how your loved one interacts with the world. If they feel ashamed or embarrassed about their mental health, they may pull away from friends and family. In many cases, they might also stop participating in senior activities they love and withdraw from the community.
At TerraBella Durham, we offer many opportunities to help your loved one stay socially connected. They can join walking clubs and explore local spots like Eno River State Park and the Durham Arts Council.
Our engaging environment allows them to discuss their struggles without shame and get the right support.
Combating Stigma in Memory Care and Assisted Living
Senior living in Durham isn't just about comfortable apartments and nourishing daily meals. It also involves creating a stigma-free environment and offering support for older adults to help them thrive.
At TerraBella Durham, we prioritize mental health, and it has become a core part of our care. Our team invites experts to offer mental health education for seniors in the following ways:
- Wellness check-ins
- Peer support groups
- Senior mental health awareness workshops
We also offer every resident unique care, whether they are in assisted living in Durham, NC, or memory care. When building care plans, we'll consider your loved one's emotional health and personal history. We'll then offer them targeted support to ensure emotional wellness in aging.
Mental wellness thrives when we have a community. So, TerraBella Durham offers a robust events & activities calendar to help your loved one connect with others inside the community and in the local areas.
Our engaging calendar of activities encourages them to stay active, which builds emotional resilience.
Help Your Loved One Break Free From the Stigma
So, what is mental health stigma? It's the fear or shame that keeps older adults from seeking help when struggling emotionally.
Fight stigma by choosing a supportive community where your loved one can open up without fear. Encourage them to stay active and connected by joining group activities and engaging in mental wellness programs.
TerraBella Durham offers bright and cheery senior living in a warm community with beautiful outdoor spaces. We believe in empowering residents to live their best, most fulfilling lives. Contact us to end the stigma and start the healing journey.