Let’s talk about mental health in LTC
Par Family Councils Ontario
Mental health affects all of us. It’s no less important than our physical health but yet mental health still has a lot of stigma attached. If we break an ankle, we need crutches and people will be supportive as we heal. If we have mental health issues- such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder- we may feel ashamed of what we need to do to support our wellness and reluctant to share our experiences with others. Today, on #BellLetsTalk Day, let’s change that. Let’s talk about mental health in long-term care.
One of the first steps in supporting mental health and wellness among LTC residents, caregivers, and staff is to gain a better understanding of mental health. So, what is mental health? According to the Alzheimer Society of Peel:
“Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. It is more than the absence of a mental illness.”2
Mental health issues are common among people living in LTC, including depression.1 It has been reported that 80%-90% of nursing home residents live with some form of mental illness and/or cognitive impairment (Rovneret al., 1990; Drance, 2005).2 While that may seem normal, we need to remember that depression and other mental health conditions are not consequences of aging- it is NOT normal for older people to live with depression, anxiety or psychosis as a result of their age. In order to support people living in LTC and their mental wellness, we need to better understand what is and is not normal. We need to learn and share what we learn about mental health with others. LTC residents deserve to live with good mental health just as people living in the community do. Learn more about the intersections of aging and mental health. Share what you learn with others and strive to create a culture that values talking about mental health and finding ways to support mental wellness.
Caregiver mental health is another essential topic to learn about and discuss. Caregiver stress is a big issue for community and LTC caregivers. Family members tell us of the stress they feel before, during, and after the transition to LTC. The feelings that arise during and after the transition to LTC- relief, anger, grief, sadness, increased stress, fear- all contribute to the mental health experiences of caregivers. Family Councils can be a great resources for residents’ family members and friends in learning about mental health and starting discussions about their experiences. Consider guest speaker presentations on residents and/or caregiver mental health or reducing stigma. Councils and their members are important allies in challenging stigma and sharing knowledge about mental health. Step forward and take this on. You’ll change the lives of the residents and family members of your LTC home.
Next, we need to talk openly about mental health. Every single person has mental health. People living in, working in, and visiting LTC homes have mental health and their mental health- just as their physical health- exists along a spectrum of wellness. Some days- weeks, months, years- will be better than others. We may live with diagnosed mental health disorders or live with ups and downs of mental wellness. Stigma is what affects up greatly as we live with our mental health issues: “Stigma refers to the negative attitudes (prejudice) and negative behaviour (discrimination) towards individuals with mental health disorders.”2 Stigma prevents people from talking about mental health, getting support, and seeking treatment. Instead of hiding our mental health challenges, let’s talk about them openly and without judgment. So, what can that look like?
- Ask someone how they are doing. Ask to really understand how they are. If you feel comfortable doing so, encourage them to share with you how they really feel.
- Share your experiences. To the extent with which you are comfortable, share how you are feeling and the state of your mental health. Are you struggling? Feeling sad? Stressed?
- Practice peer support at Family Council meetings: whether through an opening sharing session or facilitated peer support discussion, encourage members to give and receive emotional support.
- Educate yourself so you can dispel stigma by sharing accurate information about mental health.
- Speak and act with kindness. Be kind to everyone as you don’t know another’s experience or story. Always speak and act with kindness. It could make the difference in someone’s day, week, year, or life.
Next, we need to help as much as we can. Beyond learning and talking about mental health, we can also facilitate access to information and resources. Family Councils can help by researching local mental health supports and discussing with home staff the supports available in the home. Individuals can help by taking the time to talk about mental health experiences with their loved ones, fellow family members, and home staff. Listen non-judgmentally and actively. You may not be able to solve someone’s problem, but by listening, being open-minded, and being there with them in the moment you can make a big difference. By talking about mental health in general, yours and theirs in specific, we can support each other and open up doors to receiving professional support. Talking, sharing, facilitating access to professional support can all change and save lives.
In honour of #BellLetsTalk day and to continue our work on the intersections of mental health in long-term care, we encourage you to start and continue conversations among your networks and at your LTC home. Share with us what you and your Council are doing to support mental wellness and reduce stigma. Connect with us by email, on Facebook or Twitter. Let’s talk about mental health and change lives. We all have an important role to pay.
Learn more about mental health and wellness:
Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health https://ccsmh.ca/
Mental Health and Addictions Issues for Older Adults: Opening the Doors to a Strategic Framework, Canadian Mental Health Association. https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/mental-health-and-addictions-issues-for-older-adults-opening-the-doors-to-a-strategic-framework/
Sources
- Mental Health Long-Term Care https://ccsmh.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/CCSMH-LTC-PRINT-ENG-R2-2-FINAL.pdf
- Aging and Mental Health –Current Challenges in Long Term Care plenary PowerPoint (presented by Stephanie Saur & Christina Pacheco, Acute Care Behavioural Consultants, Alzheimer Society Peel at FCO conference Intersections of Mental Health in Long-Term Care). https://www.fco.ngo/sites/default/files/Aging%20Mental%20Heath%20Current%20Challenges%20in%20LTC%20Nov%202018_0.pdf