How’s your health? I can guarantee I get asked this question a lot these days. Generally I describe how I have a few aches and pains in my body, particularly in my hip joints. However no-one really talks about their mental health. It’s like a taboo subject unless someone directly asks you if you’re coping ok mentally. I believe that taking steps to address mental health issues and maybe seeking counselling in your 50s and 60s is just as important as looking after yourself physically.

Mental Health issues as you age

According to Head to Health (Australian Government Department of Health) “elderly people have their own set of circumstances, challenges, and risk factors related to their mental health and wellbeing that no other age group has”.

Amongst mental health factors affecting older people are things like physical health struggles, social isolation, lack of access to treatment, changing living arrangements, and financial stresses. When you think about it coming to terms with chronic physical ailments, aches and pains, and changes in brain function, it could be potentially depressing. In a lot of instances your body is not able to do what it once could do and even gentle movements can lead to injury and physical pain.

In some cases retirees struggle coming to terms with no longer being employed and productive in paid work, which can lead to feeling despondent and purposeless. It’s difficult transitioning from going to a job everyday to becoming a retiree and suddenly having no sense of purpose, except to carry out odd jobs around the house, to take up hobbies or look after grandchildren.

What is imagined as being the best time of your life, finally having the freedom to do whatever you want, like having more time for family, friends, travel and hobbies, can sometimes be a challenge. Having endless daylight hours to fill can get lonely and depressing, particularly if you had a busy fulfilling career.

Supporting Mental Health as you age

The best way to support your mental health as you age is by finding ways to stay physically active and socially engaged. You can build good mental health in a manner of ways:

• Become involved in the community and contribute meaningfully through volunteer or part-time work. I presently volunteer for a few hours a week for a charity called Baby Give Back that recycles baby clothing and equipment to give back to families in need, and I’m also a part-time foster puppy carer for Assistance Dogs Australia.
• Spend valuable time with friends and family. Don’t sit back and wait to be invited. Take the initiative and organise coffee catchups, walks, lunches or movie outings.
• Find an exercise class that is suitable for your age group and go along a few times a week. I find that Yoga and Pilates classes are ideal for my age as they are gentle forms of exercise and not too taxing on my body. Walking, swimming or Aqua Aerobics is also very good. Lifting light weights at the gym is recommended as we get older as well.
• Take up a new sport or hobby. I took up Lawn Bowls last year and have been enjoying this challenging sport that just so happens to be very social.
• Join community groups that meet to play cards, Mah Jong or Scrabble, attend trivia nights, join a book club or a discussion group. These types of past-times are great for keeping your brain sharp.
• Book a holiday and take advantage of having all this free time to travel to new and interesting destinations either within your own country or abroad.
• If someone you know is suffering from depression just be there for them and listen without judgement. Knowing that someone cares about them is often very comforting and all that is needed. If you have previous counselling experience and are interested in learning more about online therapist jobs check out BetterHelp.
• If you’re feeling that you’re not coping seek counselling or therapy as this can be extremely helpful.

Why Counselling can be Helpful as you age

Mental health can affect anyone at any time and many of us that seek treatment do go on to effectively manage their recovery. As with a physical illness, a person with a mental health condition will benefit from the right treatment and support. It’s not something to be ashamed about and it doesn’t mean that you’re “losing your marbles”!

Counselling was extremely effective in my case even after a couple of sessions. It was as though the fog immediately lifted and I obtained an insight into why I was feeling the way I did. It truly was the best thing I could have done to help myself on the road to recovery.

Although I visited a Counsellor in person, more and more people are experiencing positive outcomes after using online counselling or therapy. The beauty of online counselling is that it makes it accessible, affordable, and convenient – so anyone who struggles with life’s challenges can get help, anytime, anywhere. There’s no need to wait for an appointment with the appropriate professional as licensed, trained, experienced, and accredited therapists and counsellors are available 24/7.

It is heartening to see that mental health is a lot more publicised these days and that there are many options for seeking help. Charitable organisations such as Beyond Blue, Black Dog Institute and Livin are doing great work in our community raising awareness about mental health. My advice is to never disregard depression or “feeling down” as a normal part of life. Seek help before it’s too late.