St. Luke’s Hospital Senior life solutions focusing on mental health
Published Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 12:10 p.m.
Join St. Luke’s Senior Life Solutions in celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month this May and help spread awareness and break down the stigma surrounding mental illness.
We live in a rapidly changing world that can be complicated to navigate. About half of Americans remember a time when we weren’t constantly connected and it was easier to tune out the noise of the world, but the younger half of the population can’t imagine life without the internet. you can’t.
Modern life can have a huge impact on mental health, for better or worse. The disturbing images we see in the media today can be extremely disturbing. At the same time, our current technology also enables us to more efficiently mobilize and provide collective support in times of natural disasters and fraud.
Ironically, even as our devices make us more connected than ever, loneliness is becoming an increasingly serious public health concern. We can now have real-time conversations with friends and family on the other side of the world. However, staying connected also means you can know if you haven’t been invited to a friend’s party down the street. Recent survey data shows that more than half (58%) of U.S. adults feel lonely.
Remaining calm and focused on your health when you have mental health concerns can be difficult in our fast-paced society. Knowing where to start can be especially difficult.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Senior Life Solutions is raising awareness about the important role of mental health in our lives and encouraging community members to take action to protect their mental health and overall well-being. is encouraged.
This month, we encourage you to take the time to learn and educate yourself about mental health conditions, their signs, symptoms, and treatment options. Understanding mental health can help reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help when needed. Connect with others and reach out to friends, family, or support groups for emotional support and social connection. Talking about your feelings and experiences can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness. From time to time, step away from screens and technology, especially social media, which can cause feelings of inferiority and comparison. Instead, spend your time doing activities that nourish your mind and body.
“It’s important to remember that improving mental health takes time,” says Candra Cunningham, RN program director at St. Luke’s Hospital Senior Life Solutions. “Change doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, we can develop long-term strategies to overcome the stressors of modern life and continue to support ourselves and others.” I can.”
If you’ve taken steps to improve your mental health but are still struggling, or don’t know where to start on your mental health journey, contact your health care provider today.
Senior Life Solutions is an outpatient program designed to meet the unique needs of older adults who are experiencing depression and anxiety related to life changes associated with aging and chronic illness. For more information If you or someone you know could benefit from this program, please call 828-894-9890.
Submitted by Candra Cunningham
