You might think mental health problems are something that mainly affects younger people, but in reality, the young and old are equally vulnerable. Unfortunately, seniors in Bethel Park, PA, are much less likely to seek mental health support.
According to figures from psychiatry.org, more than half of all people living with mental illness because they're afraid of facing stigma and judgment. Stigma is a huge barrier to emotional wellness for seniors because seniors face both internal and external barriers.
So, what is mental health stigma, and how can we go about effectively reducing stigma in aging? Read on to find out more about this crucial senior mental health awareness topic.
So, what is mental health stigma? Mental health stigma refers to the societal belief that mentally ill individuals are dangerous, delusional, or incapable of making their own decisions.
People who constantly hear these kinds of negative opinions tend to internalize them, making dealing with mental health problems challenging. A huge number of people with mental illnesses don't seek help because they're afraid of getting a stigmatizing reaction.
Seniors are affected more than average because the stereotypical viewpoint is that seniors don't experience mental health difficulties at the same rate as younger people. Of course, in reality, seniors are just as at risk as anyone else.
In fact, they may occasionally be at a higher risk. Seniors who have recently retired, for instance, may find it difficult to adjust to their new lives and may suffer from mental health issues like anxiety or depression.
So, why do so many seniors suffer from internalized mental health stigma? One of the big reasons is because of negative, stereotypical, and just downright wrong depictions of mental illness in popular media.
For example, in a study by Scarf et al., the researchers determined that people who viewed the violent movie Joker (which depicts a character who struggles with mental health issues before going on a murderous rampage) demonstrated a measurable increase in prejudice.
The study provides compelling evidence that stigma is exacerbated and negative attitudes are internalized by people as a result of negative media portrayals. Regretfully, the negative stereotypes portrayed in this movie may serve to further perpetuate damaging ideas that elderly people with mental health conditions are dangerous or erratic.
Seniors may also be more reluctant to discuss their issues with friends, family, or medical professionals due to the stigma, fearing a negative response. We must address these regrettable stereotypes in the media if we want to promote effective mental health support.
A study by Oxley et al. further demonstrates the problematic nature of mental health stigma. The researchers conducted a two-year study of hundreds of individuals receiving disability pensions due to mental illness. They found that individuals with higher levels of self-stigma were much less likely to recover from their mental illness.
Not only does stigma prevent seniors from seeking help, but it can also reduce the effectiveness of treatment in seniors who do seek help. Seniors are already at risk of isolation and health problems, so it's important not to amplify the difficulties through mental health stigma. This study demonstrates how internalized stigma can result in diminished self-care and poor quality of life.
Therefore, the best senior mental health treatment options need to take this barrier to treatment into account.
There are also cultural and community factors to consider when discussing the stigma of mental health in seniors. The way that different ethnic groups view mental illness varies; some are more receptive to treatment than others.
For example, Asian culture places a lot of importance on emotional restraint and ensuring you and your family don't lose face. Unfortunately, due to their cultural perspective, Asian seniors may be less willing to seek help from a psychologist or other mental health care provider.
African American seniors also might be reluctant to engage with mental health services, often because they tend to mistrust these institutions due to historic discrimination. Seniors from these kinds of backgrounds might need extra support when dealing with mental health services.
It's important for senior living communities to have staff members who are aware of the impact culture can have on senior mental health attitudes.
Sadly, healthcare institutions are not immune to the effects of stigma, and when dealing with healthcare services, seniors may experience structural stigma. The following examples are representative of structural stigma seniors may face:
Healthcare disparities in mental health treatment are less prioritized in physical health, particularly for seniors. Biases from healthcare providers sometimes cause them to attribute mental health problems to aging instead of recognizing a treatable mental health condition.
Senior care communities frequently have inadequate training or under-resourced staff. The underdiagnosis and undertreatment of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety are sadly the result of these structural stigmas.
Thankfully, healthcare institutions are starting to educate their staff about the principles of reducing stigma in aging.
There is no denying that mental health stigma is a significant challenge for seniors in Bethel Park, PA; it will take close collaboration between public health institutions, senior living communities, and families.
Here are some of the ways we can work on understanding mental health stigma and reducing it in seniors.
So, what is mental health stigma? It's a significant barrier to getting the right mental health support in Bethel Park. Stigma won't disappear on its own; it's up to healthcare institutions, senior communities, and family members to help normalize mental health struggles.
Here at Bethel Park, we believe no senior should face their mental health struggles alone. That's why we make mental wellness part of everyday life. Interested in seeing how our independent living options enable seniors to live a rich, fulfilling life?
Contact us today, and let's set up a tour.