Discussion Question

Positive Mental Health.html

Positive Mental Health

Everyone experiences traumatic events at some point in time, and those events can cause grief and frustration. At such times, individuals turn to family and friends for support. That support network helps the individual get through those difficult times. This same sort of support is also necessary for older adults. Support is not an uncommon thing. Consider the process we use to deal with death. Funeral ceremonies are a common event. The funeral service allows friends and loved ones to gather and show support for the members of the immediate family as well as the extended family. This process helps people to maintain relationships even after a friend or family member has died. Maintaining close relationships with family and friends is an important component of positive mental health.

Positive mental health is also related to health and wellness in general. Much of the literature on health and wellness for older adults stresses the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle and proper nutrition. This is true for all individuals, regardless of age.

Maintaining health and having a support system is good, but identification and treatment is also important. Because the US population is getting older, there is an increased need for medical, social, and psychological professionals that are trained to deal with the unique issues that older adults may face. Van't Veer-Tazelaar et al. (2009) described a proactive approach that involved a comprehensive screening and treatment process for individuals that are at higher risk for developing depression. The goal was to ensure that medical personnel have the necessary training and knowledge to identify and effectively treat those older adults who are at risk for depression.