Peer Support Groups
By Sujata Jayaprakash, Family & Youth Counsellor Peer support groups play a significant role in contributing to the mental well-being of individuals by providing emotional support, shared experiences, and practical strategies for coping with mental health challenges. Feeling understood contributes to mental well-being. Being in a group with others who have similar experiences fosters a sense of understanding and empathy. Regular interactions with other group members can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation. Learning from others and hearing about their journeys and coping strategies can provide new insights and ideas for managing one’s own mental health. Also realizing that there are other people who are facing similar challenges can reduce feelings of abnormality or stigma. When people are part of a peer support group, often some members share practical tips and strategies for dealing with specific issues, such as managing anxiety or dealing with feelings of depression. Hands-on activities in a group can help develop coping mechanisms, improve communication skills and problem-solving abilities. Regular meetings provide a source of encouragement and motivation to continue working on personal goals. A lot of resource sharing also takes place in groups so people can access information about some helpful services and support networks. Here are a few practical steps to benefit from peer support groups. Find the right group that focuses on your specific mental health issue. Secondly try out a few different groups to see which one feels like the best fit in terms of atmosphere, structure and members. Engage actively in discussions and activities. Share your experiences and listen to others. Attend meetings regularly to build relationships and gain the full benefits of the support offered. Apply learnings and use the resources recommended by group members in your daily life. Build connections outside of meetings for additional support and friendship. Offer your support and encouragement to others, fostering a reciprocal and caring environment. Seek professional guidance, use peer support groups as a complement to professional therapy. If you have any doubts about the advice or strategies discussed in the group, consult with a mental health professional for clarification. By participating in peer support groups, individuals can gain valuable emotional support, learn effective coping strategies, and build a network of understanding peers, all of which contribute significantly to their overall mental well-being.
Beginning the Healing Process: A Journey through Grief
Sharon Prasad Patient Stories of Total Person Care consultations An elderly patient came to us, troubled by persistent cough and sleepless nights. She had been to several doctors, tried different medications, but nothing seemed to help. During our consultation, we took time to do a complete psycho-social evaluation and discovered the heart of the issue. A few years ago she had lost her son who was in his late 20s. He had struggled with depression which eventually claimed his life. This loss left her devastated. To avoid painful conversations about her son, she withdrew from connecting with her friends or going for walks with her neighbors in the society. She spent her days consumed by thoughts of her son’s life and death. This overwhelming grief took a toll on her physical health. Despite various treatments, her symptoms persisted. We understood that her physical ailments were deeply intertwined with her emotional pain. We reassured her that grieving is a natural process and that it was okay to feel the way she did. We provided her with a safe space to express her emotions and listened to her as she shared her story, her memories, and her sorrow. By acknowledging her grief and allowing her to talk about it, we began to see a change. She slowly started to re-engage with her daily activities and connect with people again. Her cough and sleeplessness began to improve as she worked through her emotions. This story highlights the importance of total person care. Sometimes, physical symptoms are manifestations of deeper emotional wounds. By addressing the whole person – mind, body, soul and spirit – we can truly begin the healing process. Understanding and compassion can make all the difference.
Mental Health & Elderly
By Sujata Jayaprakash, Family & Youth Counsellor The elderly population faces a high risk of mental health issues due to a variety of factors including biological changes, social factors, and pre-existing health conditions. Focus on the quality of life Understanding these risks and implementing effective prevention and after-care strategies can significantly improve their quality of life. This encompasses a holistic approach to healthcare as it considers all aspects of a person’s well-being. Dealing with changes in the physical, emotional, and social realm Biological changes like Alzheimer’s diseases and other forms of dementia are more common among the elderly. Illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and arthritis can also affect the mental health of the elderly. Another factor that majorly contributes to mental health issues is hearing and vision loss which leads to social isolation and depression among both men and women. Often the elderly are affected by the loss of their spouse, friends and reduced social networks which leads to a feeling of loneliness. They also seem to lose their identity and purpose when they transition from active work life to retirement life. Slower processing speeds and difficulties with attention and problem solving is often frustrating for them. Another factor that adds to their mental health burden is their medication side effects. The elderly population are often on multiple medications as per their health conditions which impacts their mental health well-being. Encouragement to take ownership for their well-being Prevention is better than cure so there are a few things that we could encourage our elderly population to do to help them with their mental well-being even while they are aging, what we can call aging gracefully. We need to encourage them to exercise regularly to stay physically fit and improve their mood and cognitive function. They need to also eat a balanced diet to support their brain health and overall well-being and finally to go for their regular medical check-ups for any early detection and management of chronic conditions. A supportive community and a safe environment There are also other factors that will help with mental well-being and that is engaging in activities for mental stimulation e.g. puzzles, reading and learning new skills, to keep the brain active. Family members must regularly interact with them to make them feel strong family connections. However, sometimes we have missed most of all or a few of the above knowingly or unknowingly so we need to have the after-care strategies in place to help and support the elderly. One of the most helpful are the support groups where they can interact with peer groups and share their experiences and strategies. Providing structured activities and social interaction opportunities helps them have a safe community around them. We also need to ensure that their living environments are safe and supportive to prevent risks like falling etc. Above all every family member, big or small, needs to interact with them and make sure they are cared for and appreciated and encourage them to keep their spirits high and make them happy. By addressing these factors and implementing comprehensive prevention and after-care strategies, we can significantly improve the mental health and overall well-being of the elderly population.