When you or someone you love is dealing with a mental health concern, sometimes it’s a lot to handle. It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable.
So much of what we do physically impacts us mentally. That is why this year’s theme for May is Mental Health Month — Fitness #4Mind4Body — is a call to pay attention to both your physical health and your mental health, which can help achieve overall wellness and set you on a path to recovery.
The recognition of May is Mental Health Month started 69 years ago by Mental Health America in order to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone.
This year’s Mental Health Month focuses on how a healthy lifestyle may help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions as well as physical conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems.
Focusing on a mental-helth lifestyle can also help people recover from these conditions. Eating healthy foods, managing stress, exercising and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making you both physically and mentally healthy.
“It is important to really look at your overall health, both physically and mentally, to achieve wellness,” said Karen Hildreth, program director of Dallas County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions Program. “Getting the appropriate amount of exercise, eating healthy foods that can impact your gut health, getting enough sleep and reducing stress – it’s all about finding the right balance to benefit both the mind and body.”
Hildreth said Senior Life Solutions offers an intensive outpatient group therapy program that is designed to meet the unique needs of older adults over the age of 65 struggling with depression and anxiety often related to aging. Family members, physicians or other health professionals can refer individuals to the program.
“We know that living a healthy lifestyle is not always easy,” said Hildreth, a registered nurse, “but it can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes. By looking at your overall health every day — both physically and mentally — you can go a long way in ensuring that you focus on your Fitness #4Mind4Body.”
To help mark Mental Health Month, a booth will be open Thursday, May 10 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Great Room of the Rowley Masonic Community Assisted Living, with staffers from Senior Life Solutions available for consultation.
For more information on May is Mental Health Month, visit Mental Health America’s website. For more information on Dallas County Hospital’s Senior Life Solutions program, call 515-465-7580.
