age of sixty-five) have a higher risk of suicide
than any other age group. Yet when depression
is recognized and treated, there is an eighty
per cent chance of the individual making a full
recovery. Treatment is often a combination of a
medication regimen and counselling or therapy,
and increasing supports such as home care,
education, and community-based programs.
Mental illness is much like physical illness
in that it has identifiable causes and effects,
and changed behaviour. It can cause feelings of
and treatments are available. As we gain more
hopelessness, sadness, guilt, irritability, or anger.
knowledge on how to lead long and healthy lives,
Depression can cause people to lose interest in
the awareness of common mental illnesses has
socializing with friends and loved ones, beloved
never been higher. However, seniors still go
hobbies, and daily tasks. People experiencing
undiagnosed and untreated due to prevailing
depression may sleep and eat too much or too
stigma and ageism. It is important to recognize
little, have difficulty with basic hygiene, and may
signs and symptoms of mental illness and
have trouble remembering things or taking in new
respond to them to keep ourselves and others
information. Depression can also have symptoms
safer, happier, and mentally well. For anxiety
of agitation or anxiety. People with depression
and depression self-screening tools, see
may also become preoccupied with death and talk
heretohelp.bc.ca/screening/online/. If you
about dying or suicide.
are concerned that you or a loved one may have
People experiencing major life changes, such
anxiety or depression, see your family doctor as
as loss of a loved one, caregiving, divorce, or
soon as possible for assistance.
an illness are at a greater risk for developing
In part two, we will give information on how to
depression. Older adults are at a much greater
support those with mental illness and how to get
risk for depression due to the many potential
support if you are struggling. We will also tackle
life changes like retirement, illness, loss of
the myths of mental illness and go in depth on
independence, and physical changes; all of these
suicide and suicidal thoughts. ●
events can cause depression.
There is an unfortunate perception that as
If you or someone you know is having
we age, sadness is normal. This understanding
thoughts of hurting themselves or of
is simply not true, and because of this
suicide, call 911, or go to a hospital
misconception, depression is rarely recognized
emergency department right away for
in older adults. As it goes unrecognized, people
safety. The person thinking about suicide is
do not get the help and support they need, which
at great risk, and they need immediate help.
contributes to suicide risk. Senior men (over the
For more information, visit these links:
ec.myworklifeportal.com/index.html
cmha.ca/resources
canada.ca/en/public-health/services/chronic-diseases/mental-illness.html
ccsmh.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/ccsmh_depressionBooklet.pdf
50 | arta.net