Mental Health: It Can Be Forever

There are many stereotypes in regards to aging, and one of them is the seemingly unstoppable loss of intelligence. While a huge percentage of adults suffer from a mental health illness, it is not all-encompassing and there are measures that can be taken to maintain an active and alert mind far into life. However, one of the most valuable things to do, when a mental illness is suspected, is to try and go to a reliable source to diagnose the disease. That is where most people fall short. According to the OWL foundation- Older Women L.- "One in four American adults have a diagnosable mental illness, but less than one-quarter of older adults with mental illness get any type of mental health attention, let alone appropriate treatment." By increasing public awareness, elderly are more likely to seek help. The detrimental connotations that society equates with mental health issues are clarified through informing individuals, one by one. People begin to realize that it's not typical or natural to have a given health condition and they receive power, desire, and direction to act. Even though mental illnesses are prevalent, they are treatable; letting people know there is something they can do is the first step to recovery.

One specific Mental Health problem is suicide. This graph depicts death rates per 100,000 pop. from suicide in the UK, 1991-2006 (Department of Health, 2008), clearly showing that this is a global issue that effects all people.

There are various factors that contribute to health in later years, such as the enviornment, religion, age, economic status, etc. These factors influence overall well-being in each aspect of life: the emotional, physical, and mental. Some are contingent on outside sources, but there are many that are within the reach of all to change, and improve. Every little thing we do has a consequence, and can be advantageous, or disadvantageous. The power is in us!