What Is Mental Health Stigma and How Does It Affect Seniors?
The Edenic Arcadia surrounding Terrabella Marchbanks is an area of true beauty, but to some of those facing issues of mental health stigma, it may as well be paved over.
Many people hesitate to express this, however, due to judgment from others. With around 4% of older adults aged 70 or over suffering from depression (CDC, 2024), however, it can lead to worsening conditions that make even the most beautiful setting completely uninteresting, with nothing to offer them.
Terrabella Marchbanks residents are fortunate, as they are part of a community that asks the question: "What is mental health stigma and how does one overcome it?" Continue reading to learn how to find memory care and mental health support for seniors in Anderson, SC, and how to incorporate senior care awareness into your future emotional education.
What Is Mental Health Stigma?
Unfortunately, three-quarters of Americans feel that mental health issues aren't identified and treated on the same level as physical health issues. (West Health, 2024) Fortunately, there are ways to have emotionally open conversations that can help with this, allowing for a greater understanding of one's feelings and helping to break the stigma one may have felt for years.
In essence, it is the belief that there is something inherently wrong with someone, often beyond their control. In terms of mental health, stigma and older adults go hand in hand, facing a series of beliefs such as that:
- Depression is just a part of aging
- Those with mental health issues are a burden
- Older people are a drain on society
- Seniors just go mad
These are relatively common, frequently repeated in popular media, and can have a profound impact on whether someone accepts treatment.
The harm it causes doesn't only come from others, however. When others in someone's circle uphold these harmful beliefs, the sufferer could start to believe them themselves. Over time, this can cause them to develop lower self-esteem, reduced drive to seek help, or lose hope entirely, leading to depression or anxiety.
People who believe that old and mentally unwell individuals are a "drain" on society could then feel immensely guilty if they, too, start to develop mental health issues. The reinforcement of this stigma through the reaction of others then makes it even harder for one to seek help.
For these reasons, and more, seniors and their families must understand the impact their words have and the options available to seek support should they need it.
How These Beliefs Overlap With Anderson Culture
Many Anderson seniors, as well as others across the country, believe that when one discusses their feelings, especially if they are a man, they are either "airing dirty laundry" or "causing a scene." Many communities instead emphasize personal resilience, but do not offer support for the emotional distress people feel due to the problems they face.
Similarly, cultural pride in toughness, especially in masculine communities or those that emphasize physical fitness, can fail to acknowledge such simple emotions as sadness or grief. These individuals then do not have an outlet for the often-challenging emotions they experience.
Sadly, as many people honor their elders' values over all else, it can be tough to break through this by introducing new perspectives where discussion of one's emotional state is accepted.
The Physical and Mental Health Cost of Silence
According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, around 25% of adults aged 65 or older can be considered "socially isolated". These individuals often lack robust social networks, which can fuel issues such as loneliness and difficulties integrating with others. This event, in turn, can lead to problems growing when the inability to interact pulls someone away from their peers.
These hidden and unspoken struggles can quickly escalate, moving from mild worries to fully diagnosable issues of depression and other mental health issues without intervention. For this reason, Terrabella offers activities and events that promote emotional wellness in aging, helping people to express or discuss their mood without judgment before a crisis develops.
Without such a network, however, it is essential to remember that these conditions don't only affect someone's mood. In addition, delaying professional help can increase the chances of:
- Heart disease
- Broken bones due to an overload of stress hormones
- Weakened immune systems
- Slower recovery from illnesses
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
Seniors avoiding care often face higher rates of hospitalization. So, educating others on how to counsel friends and family safely can improve their mood and potentially save their lives.
Turning to a Community for Hope
When an individual is part of a community, there are more opportunities for them to transform their situation into one where they can take care of their well-being. Friends or family members who are good at active listening, for example, may be able to spot early signs of distress in others when they discuss their situation. Others who can offer suggestions or simply lend their time are also significant in ensuring that people feel heard and as though there is hope for them in the future.
In Terrabella Marchbanks, for example, we champion a culture of compassion via our Memory Care program. By training our staff to foster a community free of stigma, we ensure that everyone's voice is valued and that people feel comfortable sharing their stories. The emotional experiences they have are then recognized for the valid display of vulnerability they are, and people can use the opportunity to reinforce the person who shared a challenging experience.
Our staff will even model thisby displaying vulnerability themselves when it is appropriate for the community spirit. We show residents that they need not be afraid of doing so, and that they can help themselves by coming forward with what they want to express.
Finding a Fresh Path Forward With Terrabella Marchbanks
What is mental health stigma? It's a dangerous mindset that means people do not feel safe coming forward with their own worries. At Terrabella Marchbanks, however, we discourage this mindset to ensure that people always know they can express themselves without fear of repercussions.
We can introduce our warm, pet-friendly community to you with a personal tour, allowing you to see precisely how we can transform the isolation your loved ones might feel into a sense of genuine connection. Take a step towards a healthier emotional future by getting in contact with us.