In recent years, more Americans have begun to understand the important role mental health plays in their lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just over 19% of adults received some form of mental health treatment in 2019, and many mental health care providers report major increases in requests for care throughout the pandemic.
Access to quality mental health care goes a long way towards improving a person’s emotional well-being. “Having someone who you’re not emotionally attached to, [in a space] where you can vent and hear yourself out loud, and you don’t have to feel so guarded about what you say—that helps a lot,” says Mindy Crouch, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in geriatric therapy in Omaha, Nebraska.
Despite the positives, many aging parents and family members who might benefit from seeing a therapist are still reluctant to go. Many adult children know all too well how difficult it can be to convince these loved ones to make their mental health a priority and to assure them that they can do so without facing judgment or shame, losing their right to privacy, or sacrificing their personal boundaries.
If you’re struggling to convince a parent or older loved one to take the first step and give therapy a try, here’s how to guide and encourage them to get the care they need.
“A therapist’s job is to tell you what you need to hear. And, as helpful as our family and friends may be, there are also things that you just don’t want to share with them.”
— Mindy Crouch, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Specializing in Geriatric Therapy
Reasons to Go to Therapy
When many people think about reasons to seek therapy, the first things that come to mind are depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles. While these are important conditions to discuss with a mental health care provider, they aren’t the only reasons why it’s a good idea to start working with a therapist. “Everyone deserves someone objective to talk to,” Crouch says. “Family and friends are sometimes forced to tell you what you want to hear. A therapist’s job is to tell you what you need to hear. And, as helpful as our family and friends may be, there are also things that you just don’t want to share with them or burden them with.”
For their patients, therapists can offer:
- A safe space to vent
- A chance to learn new coping skills
- An outlet for stress
- Help working through family or relationship conflicts
- Support with big transitions, such as moving or changes in health status
- An opportunity to improve their overall mental wellness and self-esteem
To read the full article, please click here: https://www.care.com/c/senior-mental-health-and-therapy/
For support, contact a Senior Care Advisor at Care.com. We are master’s-level social workers specializing in adult and senior care. Call us today at (855) 781-1303 x3 or email questions to careplanning@care.com.
