Amanda Pérez Pintado, USA TODAY The arrival of #COVID-19 brought a rise in #mentalhealth concerns and most #Americans say the country faces a crisis. Older #adults haven't been exempt from the mental toll of the #pandemic, which has left them with increased rates of #depression. The #stigma surrounding #mentalillness has contributed to the perception that #depression is a normal part of aging and makes it harder for older #adults to seek professional help, said Marcia Ory, a regents and distinguished professor at the Texas A&M School of Public Health. "#Depression is common in old age, but aging is not in itself a factor in who's going to be depressed or not," Ory said. Estimates put the rate of #depression among older #adults at or below 5%, according to the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention. That rate, however, rises among older #adults who are hospitalized – 11.5% – or need home healthcare – 13.5%. Older #adults are at a higher risk of #depression, in part, due to the relationship between the #mentalillness and other conditions. The #CDC estimates about 80% of older #adults deal with at least one chronic health condition. Factors like other medical conditions, #loneliness and #socialisolation, lack of physical activity, sleep problems and functional limitations can be related to #depression, but do not necessarily cause #depression, according to the National Institute on Aging. "When there's new onset of #depression for older #adults, it's brought on by the many changes that they're going through, as they get older," said Kathleen Cameron, Senior Director of the National Council on Aging's Center for Healthy Aging. What are signs of #depression? Common symptoms of #depression include feelings of sadness or anxiety that last for weeks at a time, according to the #CDC. Some other signs of #depression are changes in appetite or sleep, irritability, fatigue, feelings of #hopelessness, and loss of interest in once pleasurable activities. "#Depression often manifests itself differently in older people, where they don't say they're sad and blue, but they lose interest or they don't sleep as well or they're not eating as well," Ory said. "The symptomatology is unique for every single person." #Suicidalthoughts may be symptoms of #depression. #Adults ages 75 and up account for fewer than 10% of all #suicides, but have the highest rate, according to the #CDC. Older #men have the highest #suicide rate compared to other groups. "Older #men, particularly, they tend to be more stoic and have kind of succumb to the #stigma associated with #mentalhealth and don't seek help," Cameron said. ?#Suicideprevention: Self-care tips, true stories on how survivors cope When to talk to a #doctor Older #adults who recognize signs of #depression that last for more than two or three weeks should consult with their primary care #doctor to rule out whether the symptoms may be caused by other factors, such as medication or medical conditions, said María P. Aranda, a professor of social work and gerontology at the University of Southern California. "It could be something else that's occurring that may be precipitating the the #anxiety or the #insomnia," Aranda said. "It'd be important that they consult with their #physician to identify how it started, the severity of the symptoms, what type of evaluation or assessment would they need to rule out any other things." Aranda said older #adults experiencing #depression shouldn't lose hope, as there are effective treatments for the condition, such as medication and psychotherapy. In cases of #suicidalideation, it's important to seek help as soon as possible, Ory said. "Immediately somebody starts expressing #suicidalideation, you want to get them help right away, which usually the first thing would be calling a #suicidehotline and then making an appointment with their healthcare provider," Ory said. ?Helping through the hard to hear: Thousands of messages show what it really means to help someone who’s suicidal #James Donaldson notes: Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes. Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use. Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book, Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy http://www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com What family and friends can do Family members, Ory said, can sometimes pick up first on whether a person's mood has changed over time and there are things they can do to help an older #adult in their lives experiencing #depression. "They're not clinicians, so they can't treat #depression, particularly the more serious and long lasting #depression, but they can offer support," Ory said. If an older loved one is showing signs of #depression, here's what you can do: Start the conversation. Show empathetic concern about the changes you have noticed in them, experts suggested. Ory recommended avoiding using the word "depressed" outright and instead talking about the signs they have noted. Aranda suggested family and friends communicate they want to be supportive and "they're in their corner."Help set up a medical appointment and accompany them. Family members and friends can encourage loved ones to seek medical treatment. "But it's not just saying, 'Oh, I think you should talk to your #doctor,'" Ory said. "(It's) 'Let me make an appointment and go with you.'"Participate in activities the person enjoys. "Going out on outings with their grandchildren, getting together with friends," Cameron said. "Better understanding what the older person wants to achieve in their life will help to seek out some solutions and help the person get to the place where they're back to doing those things that they truly enjoy."Keep in mind that it might take more than one try for them to open up. "It might take multiple times to have that conversation," Cameron said. "You don't want to alienate the person that you tried to have the conversation with if you're pushing too much, so don't give up. Keep going back but sometimes you have to do it in a kind of in a gentle manner." If you or someone you know is struggling with #suicidalthoughts, you can call the #NationalSuicidePreventionLifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or chat online any day or time. If your or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and #MentalHealthServices Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
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