Improving Mental Health For The Over 50s

Are you over 50 and struggling with mental health issues?

Being over 50 can sometimes bring unexpected stress, family pressures, bereavements and financial worries, causing us to feel unhappy, unmotivated and unwell physically and mentally –  at a time when our body and mind just wants a calmer life!

Some older age groups have a tendency to ignore mental health problems and tend to think more about good physical health rather than good mental health, so are far less likely to seek help with stress or depression. Both are equally important, and mental health issues can be treated, just like any other illness.

The causes of stress and depression in the over 50s can be many and varied. We have a tendency to blame ourselves which in turn can add to the negative thoughts and feelings. Causes can include:

• Painful events like the passing of a friend or loved one. Men are more likely than women to try to supress feelings of anxiety or depression and are less likely to talk about how they feel and how these feelings are affecting their lives
• Financial pressures can have a major, negative impact on positive mental health
• A previous history of stress, anxiety or depression
• Physical illnesses – while feeling anxious or depressed about illness or recovery is understandable, it doesn’t mean it can’t be treated
• Loneliness – Impact’s courses are designed with peer support in mind
• Employment problems
• Retirement – is a major change in someone’s life and can be difficult to adjust to that change

As with the causes, the symptoms too, can be many and varied and can include:

• Tireness and/or lack of energy
• Changes in appetite
• Weight changes
• Lack of libido
• Irritability
• Anxiety, worry or panic attacks
• Feelings of self-blame
• Feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling tearful
• Continual sadness and low mood
• Feeling guilt-ridden
• Indecisiveness
• Lack of enthusiasm even for the things you usually love doing
• Social exclusion and avoiding contact with others

If you are 50 or over and struggling with worry, anxiety, stress or depression, attending an Impact YOU Programme may just be the opportunity, you need to get back in control of your life and your mind!

Impact, provide relaxed, mental health & wellbeing programmes across Bedfordshire, and we are excited to announce that we will be delivering one of our YOU Programmes in September 2018, specifically for local residents aged 50 and over.

This programme will help you to help yourself manage pressures such as stress/anxiety, isolation, unemployment, relationship difficulties, bereavements, employment issues and unhealthy addictions using peer-led discussions to uncover and build confidence, plan for structure in your life and teach empowering decision-making techniques.

An enjoyable and friendly, informative 4 days delivered over 4 weeks by facilitators sharing a wealth of lived experience, and who know what it’s like to be over 50!

If you would like to find out more, register for one of our enrolment sessions or pop-ins, or just drop us a line.

Let’s make being over 50 something to celebrate with renewed hope, new learning and new goals for a more enriched and healthier life.