May is mental health, older Americans month

BY ROBERTA LEHTINEN

Editor’s Note: May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month. This four-week series, from HopeNet of Carpinteria, will focus on mental health awareness and mental health resources in the Carpinteria and Santa Barbara areas.

The 2023 theme of Older Americans Month is “Aging Unbound,” which gives us the opportunity to think about how we can explore diverse aging experiences. Keeping our older adults physically and mentally healthy, engaged, independent and included makes it possible for them to make important contributions to society as family members, volunteers and active participants in the workplace.

My 92-year-old mother-in law had a sign in her kitchen that said, “Old Age Is Not For Sissies.” As she rightly observed, getting older brings its share of challenges, and at times, elders may find it difficult to stay mentally healthy and strong. Mental health is a central part of wellbeing, so a decline in mental health can cause a loss of self-esteem and a loss of self-confidence to face life and its challenges. Keeping an active, mentally stimulating lifestyle makes it possible for us to not just get through the day, but to embrace it.

The most frequent results of mental decline are depression, withdrawal, loneliness, isolation, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Some seniors still have not recovered from the results of the isolation of the Covid-19 pandemic. Adding to that unease are global unrest and disasters, political tensions, financial and health declines plus fears of outliving savings and loss of independence.

Seniors are often stressed by the loss of a spouse or friends, and sharing the difficulties of parents, adult children, grandchildren and siblings. Chronic illnesses such as pain, orthopedic, respiratory, cardiovascular, vision, hearing, kidney and diabetic diseases as well as decline in memory and ability to handle finances, hygiene, running the house, shopping, proper nutrition and so on contribute to psychological distress.

Seniors may abuse alcohol or other drugs to cope with the challenges of aging but keep it hidden because of the stigma or shame it induces. Medication interactions should be monitored by practitioners and pharmacists as they can cause dizziness and even toxicity when mixed with alcohol. Something as simple as Tylenol (acetaminophen) mixed with alcohol can cause liver toxicity.

There is good news in all these worrisome facts. In most cases, elders are resilient as they have coped with adversities such as losing a loved one, spousal caregiving, surviving a health crisis and generally surviving with changes brought on by aging. They often can be optimistic and see the “silver lining” through the clouds. It is important for seniors to remain active with family, friends, church members, local volunteer or community service and social groups. Self-care is as simple as being outside in nature and walking around the neighborhood for 30 minutes, as well as eating healthy meals, getting enough sleep, practicing kindness and gratitude, avoiding too much depressing TV, limiting alcohol to small amounts, trying a new hobby or exercise class, calling a friend to come over or meeting for coffee.

Carpinteria has opened an interim Senior Center at Girls Inc. of Carpinteria on Foothill Road, which is open Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Coffee and snacks are provided as well as information on local opportunities for classes, cards, Bingo, book club, exercises, garden club and many other evolving programs of interest. The main objective is to socialize!

If you are experiencing sadness, anxiety or other signs of mental distress, start with your primary care practitioner for an evaluation. There may be a medication that can help, or a referral to a mental health specialist or group. It is important to know the facts about mental health, to talk openly and reduce stigma. It is okay not to be okay.

Roberta Lehtinen is a retired RN living in Carpinteria with a special interest in mental wellness and suicide prevention. She is president of HopeNet of Carpinteria, a small, grassroots suicide prevention organization founded in 2012 after the suicide of a wellknown Carpinterian. We can be reached at our website, hopenetofcarp.org, or over email at hopenetofcarp@gmail.com.

LOCAL AND COUNTY RESOURCES

Family Service Agency (FSA): (805) 965-1001 ext. 108

Crisis and Recovery Emergency Services (CARES): (805) 8846850

Cottage Emergency Psychiatric Services: (805) 569-8339

American Indian Health Services (available in Carpinteria): (805) 696-1002

County Health Care Center (Carpinteria): (805) 560-1050

Access/Cares 24/7: 1-888-868-1649 or 988

National Suicide Prevention Line: 988

Information/Resources on local services: 211

Senior Resource Directory: (805) 925-9554; online centralcoastseniors.org; or check our library for a copy

CALM (Child Abuse Listening and Mediation: (805) 965-2376

Wednesday, May 31, 2023 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Rincon Beach Club (outdoors) Carpinteria, CA 93013

Steering Committee Chair: Marybeth Carty

Featuring Special Guest Speakers: Beth Cox & Virginia Benson Wigle