Senior Health Take Mental Health Issues Seriously 1/2/2024 | By Stan Popovich Rather than ignoring mental health issues, you need to address them head on, for your own benefit and for your loved ones. Stan Popovich, author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear,” offers six reasons to take action. Many people underestimate the impact that mental illness can have on an individual and their loved ones. It can be difficult to admit that you have a mental health problem, and it can challenging to ensure that people you know understand your situation without judging. To avoid the negative impacts of mental illness on you and your loved ones, make it a priority to address your mental health issues. Here are six reasons to take action. Six reasons to address mental health issues 1. Your situation will improve if you get help. Your anxieties and fears can be challenging to manage and more than likely you will need some help. Just as you talk to your doctor about your regular health, you should not hesitate to seek help for your mental health. If left untreated, your anxieties and fears may not go away. 2. Drugs and alcohol are not the answer. Drugs and alcohol can make problems more complicated and add to your difficulties. Be smart and learn how to cope with your mental health issues by talking to a qualified professional. 3. You will save time and money. Eventually, you will have to confront your fears and mental health issues. Save yourself the time and heartache and confront your problems now rather than later. You will save months of struggling by getting help right away. The sooner you get assistance, the faster you will start getting some relief. 4. You are not alone. Everyone deals with fear, stress, and anxiety, whether or not they care to admit it. Don’t be embarrassed that you are getting help. We all learn new things from others on a daily basis, and learning how to manage your anxieties is no different. In addition, your goal is to get your life back on track and not to get everyone’s approval. If people start asking you questions, just say you’re dealing with stress. Most people can relate to dealing with stress and anxiety! 5. Do not make the mistake of doing nothing. Many people have struggled with anxiety and other mental health issues but tried to ignore their problems. As a result, some of these people struggled on a daily basis and eventually things became even more difficult. It can be scary asking for assistance, but the key is to take things one day at a time. 6. You have a variety of options. There are many mental health support groups, organizations, and counselors that can help get your life back on track. Talk to your doctor to get more details on where you can go for assistance. Help is available, but you must be willing to make the choice to get better. Remember that every problem has a solution, but you may have to work to find the answers. Related: Prioritizing mental health in retirement Challenges for seniors in mental health therapy Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear,” featuring techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. For more information, please visit Stan’s website at http://www.managingfear.com Read More Stan Popovich