A mental health condition is when an individual’s thinking, feeling, and/or behaviours change, and is often related to stress, and difficulty coping with everyday life.
Mental health is central to your health and wellbeing, including your ability to manage daily life challenges, social interactions, and your physical health. Around 20% of the population – that’s 1 in 5 Australians, will experience some form of mental health illness in their life time.
Compared to other age groups, older Australians generally have good mental health, however, are less likely to seek support unless at a crisis point, due to the perceived stigma around mental health. It is thought that between 10 and 15 per cent of older people experience depression and about 10 per cent experience anxiety with rates of depression among people living in residential aged-care believed to be around 35 per cent.
Older people who may be socially isolated, have limited community connections, and without strong social networks, are often at risk of developing mental health conditions, such as depression, which is sometimes difficult to recognise or detect in older people. Some problems associated with depression, such as sleeplessness, and problems with memory or concentration, are mistaken as a result of growing older. If dementia and depression occur at the same time it can be difficult to distinguish between them, as the signs and symptoms are very similar.
Physical illness can also be linked to depression when people become more dependent on others for their care, with feelings of loss of dignity and independence.
Sometimes, we may feel a little embarrassed or ashamed if seeking help for a mental health condition – unfortunately the stigma is still there, but getting help is not a sign of weakness – it’s important to talk to a professional as soon as possible.
Help and support is available. Whether you’re living in your own home or in an aged care home, there are people you can talk with and therapies or other treatments that can help.
If you need to talk to someone immediately, please call:
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- MensLine Australia (for men of any age) on 1300 789 978
- Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222
These phone lines are available to anyone in Australia 24 hours a day, seven days a week and are free or the cost of a local call (some charges may apply to calls from mobiles).
Making and maintaining strong friendships is important to help people recovering from a mental health condition. Boredom, loneliness, and isolation are contributing factors to depression. It may be helpful to join an activity or community group to help overcome these feelings, as it can provide people with the opportunity to socialise, have fun and increase confidence.
Support groups can meet by phone, face-to-face or online. Some may also provide information and referral services for personal support, for you or for your family. Further information can be found at www.beyondblue.org.au.
Treatment for a mental health condition isn’t dependent on age, but on the symptoms. There are several treatments available, including:
- healthy lifestyle changes such as getting plenty of exercise and having good nutrition
- general supportive counselling to help you sort out practical problems and conflicts, and to understand the reasons for your illness
- psychological interventions to help you understand your thoughts, behaviour and interpersonal relationships
- medications that may reduce or eliminate symptoms such as depressed feelings, restore normal sleep patterns and appetite, and reduce anxiety.
Finding ways to reduce and manage your stress can also help to protect mental health. For ideas on how to manage stress and stress related symptoms, visit: www.healthdirect.gov.au
