Selected Podcast
Evergreen Center - Senior Counseling Services at Memorial Hospital
In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, behavioral health professionals Valerie Brown, Max Holmes, and Ashley Haynes discuss the importance of mental health in the senior community and how the Memorial Health Evergreen Center can help.
Featured Speakers:
Max Holmes, LSW is the Program Therapist - Evergreen Center.
Valerie Brown, RN, BSN | Max Holmes, LSW | Ashley Haynes
Valerie Brown, RN, BSN is the Program Director - Evergreen Center.Max Holmes, LSW is the Program Therapist - Evergreen Center.
Ashley Haynes is the Office and Patient Coordinator Evergreen Center.
Transcription:
Evergreen Center - Senior Counseling Services at Memorial Hospital
memh053
Caitlin Whyte (Host): In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, May 2023, we address the importance of mental health, especially in the older adult community and how we can all work together to break down its stigma. So we are speaking today to behavioral health professionals from Memorial Hospital's Evergreen Center.
Host: I'll start with you, Valerie. Hello and welcome. Please tell us a bit about yourself and Memorial Hospital Evergreen Center.
Valerie Brown: Hi. Thank you for having us. My name is Valerie Brown. I'm a registered nurse and Program Director of Memorial Hospital's Evergreen Center. We are a program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically 65 and older experiencing depression or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging. As the program director, I am responsible for directing and coordinating the activities of program staff to ensure quality patient care and provide community education to create awareness of the program.
On our team is program therapist, Max Holmes, licensed social worker, who provides therapy to our patients through group, individual and family sessions. And our office patient coordinator, Ashley Haynes, who provides quality administrative and clerical services for the program and patient support.
Host: Well, thank you, Valerie, and thank you for introducing us to your program and team members. Now, let's dive into our topic. Max, can you tell us what is mental health?
Max Holmes: Sure. According to the CDC, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, how we relate to others and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence all the way through adulthood.
Host: Wonderful. Thank you. And with May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Ashley, why is it so important?
Ashley Haynes: According to Mental Health America in 1949, they introduced Mental Health Week, which eventually became Mental Health Month to help educate Americans about mental illness and mental health. Each year, organizations and programs like ours come to together to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, help improve access to care, educate communities on signs and symptoms, and highlight mental health progress globally.
Host: Great. So Valerie, what are some ways people can get involved during Mental Health Awareness Month?
Valerie Brown: Yes. We would love for the community to help us spread the word through awareness, support and advocacy activities. We have in the month of May a community mental wellness challenge occurring, that is weekly challenges to share photos of getting active, enjoying hobbies, social time with friends and family and doing self-care. Also, community members can do something to improve their own mental health, such as taking a walk outside, practicing mindfulness, or watching your favorite movie with a friend. You can also learn the signs and symptoms to watch for if a friend or family member is in crisis and share your own mental health journey or why mental health matters to you.
Host: Great. Those are some really easy ways for community members to get involved. So, Max, what are some of the signs or symptoms that indicate someone we know is struggling with their mental health?
Max Holmes: Well, some of those signs and symptoms can include changes in sleep or eating patterns, whether they increase or decrease, you know, expression of feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, or just wanting to give up; frequent trips to the doctor or the emergency department for an unexplained illness, frequent yelling and fighting with family or friends, little to no energy, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, mood swings; an inability to perform daily tasks, such as basic hygiene, missing appointments, or not cleaning up after themselves; and also, unexplained aches and pains. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, we want you to know you are not alone. You can talk to your doctor or contact us at 217-357-6516.
Host: Very important to have that number. Thank you for sharing it. So, Ashley, if we're seeing some of these signs and symptoms in a loved one, what can someone do if someone they care about is struggling with their mental health?
Ashley Haynes: According to the APA, some things you can do are express your concerns and willingness to listen and reassure them that you care about them. Use I statements. For example, use "I'm worried about you. I would like you to consider talking with a counselor" rather than "You are..." or "You should..." Try to show patients in caring and not be judgmental of their thoughts and actions. Listen, don't disregard or challenge the person's feelings. Encourage them to go to a mental health professional or their primary care provider. For some people, it may be helpful to compare the situation to a physical health concern and how they would respond. For example, if there was a concern about diabetes or high blood pressure, would they be likely to seek medical care? Remind them that seeking help is a sign of strength.
Host: Thank you. Well, we talked in the intro about older adults and the challenges that they face. So Max, can you tell us about the challenges that older adults face as they age, and how do these challenges affect their mental health?
Max Holmes: Often depression and anxiety come from a significant life change. Feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness occur due to some of these common older adult life transitions. Retirement, kids growing older with their own families, your physical abilities being different than they used to be, potential new home environment, losing loved ones, feeling more dependent on others for care. As we grow older, we experience more of these life transitions, and often they can be painful and complex.
As we compare older adulthood to the previous chapters in our lives, many changes that occurred are things we initiated. As we get into later adulthood, it is much more likely that some of these things we experience are because of involuntary circumstances. Change is hard even if we initiate those changes ourselves. It is significantly different from having change forced upon us and all the other experiences we did not anticipate.
Host: Absolutely, that change is very, very hard and definitely impacts this age group. So Ashley, why is it important to talk about mental health and wellness for older adults?
Ashley Haynes: Symptoms of depression and anxiety often go unnoticed or overlooked, and even the person experiencing these feelings may often think this is a normal part of aging. There is a large population of older adults, and they need to know that they don't have to feel this way. It doesn't have to become their norm. In fact, according to recent studies done by the Mental Health America, about 58% of people age 65 and older believe it is normal for people to get depressed as they grow older. We want you to know that there are ways to restore your quality of life.
Host: That is so interesting, that people kind of expect to get depressed as they grow older. So Max, how can we help people to improve their mental health?
Max Holmes: So for mental health month this year, Mental Health America's encouraging individuals to look around and look within to improve their mental health. A few ways to accomplish that include trying to find 15 minutes to get some sunlight each day, whether outside or through a daylight lamp inside. Set a timer and clean whatever you can in 10 minutes. Try doing this daily to tackle cleaning up your own space in a non-overwhelming way. Put pictures of loved ones, pets, and other things you love in places you often look to stir positive thoughts and feelings throughout the day. Try keeping a journal or notepad by your bedside. If you struggle with shutting your mind off at night, write down your thoughts to attempt to clear your mind and find rest. Always remember, you are not alone. If you are struggling and need help, please talk to your doctor or reach out to us at 217-357-6516 for assistance.
Host: Absolutely. And Valerie, can you elaborate on what services your program offers and how someone would know if they were eligible for the program?
Valerie Brown: As program director, I provide a confidential assessment to determine if you or a loved one are eligible for the program. Services offered by the Evergreen Center include a confidential comprehensive assessment, group therapy, individual therapy and family therapy, medication education and management, and aftercare planning where we continue to engage and support our participants. Even though this is a group setting, we address each person individually based on their unique needs.
Host: And Max, can you elaborate on what is group therapy?
Max Holmes: Well, certainly. At the Evergreen Center, our group members, typically seven to 10 people, receive group therapy to help work toward the better quality of life, mental health and wellbeing. Group members help each other by sharing personal experiences and strengths, boosting self-esteem and confidence. By interacting with other members and receiving feedback from the group and a therapist, each group member gains a greater understanding of themselves and has the opportunity to create relationships with other people who may be facing similar challenges. During group therapy, the group may engage in open conversation guided by the therapist, which allows the group to support each other and share experiences. Often in group therapy, participants learn new skills that help their mental health wellness for the remainder of their lives.
Host: Wonderful. Thank you for that, Max. And Valerie, how do referrals to the program work?
Valerie Brown: Anyone can make a referral to our program. This can include self-referrals, referral from their primary care provider or physician, from specialists, family members, friends, neighbors, community members or groups and nursing home or residential facilities.
Host: Great. Thank you, Valerie. And as we wrap up here, Ashley, how is Memorial Hospital Evergreen Center helping to build awareness about mental health wellness in our community?
Ashley Haynes: This month, the Evergreen Center has teamed up with our behavioral health department in a community mental wellness challenge. In the month of May each week, we will have a different category of ways to promote mental wellness, and participants can engage in activities related to each category. This is a great initiative to promote mental health awareness and support in the community. For details, please visit the Memorial Hospital website. We are committed to providing excellent care to our community. We are available to answer questions about mental health, provide educational presentations, or provide information about our program to community members. We also educate other healthcare professionals about mental wellness and the specific challenges of aging.
We are dedicated ourselves to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in our community. We do it through education, highlighting progress, amplifying the voices of those in need and improving the quality of life for the patients we serve. If you would like more information, education, or would like to discuss support for yourself or a loved one, please call us at 217-357-6516.
Evergreen Center - Senior Counseling Services at Memorial Hospital
memh053
Caitlin Whyte (Host): In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, May 2023, we address the importance of mental health, especially in the older adult community and how we can all work together to break down its stigma. So we are speaking today to behavioral health professionals from Memorial Hospital's Evergreen Center.
Host: I'll start with you, Valerie. Hello and welcome. Please tell us a bit about yourself and Memorial Hospital Evergreen Center.
Valerie Brown: Hi. Thank you for having us. My name is Valerie Brown. I'm a registered nurse and Program Director of Memorial Hospital's Evergreen Center. We are a program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals typically 65 and older experiencing depression or anxiety related to life changes that are often associated with aging. As the program director, I am responsible for directing and coordinating the activities of program staff to ensure quality patient care and provide community education to create awareness of the program.
On our team is program therapist, Max Holmes, licensed social worker, who provides therapy to our patients through group, individual and family sessions. And our office patient coordinator, Ashley Haynes, who provides quality administrative and clerical services for the program and patient support.
Host: Well, thank you, Valerie, and thank you for introducing us to your program and team members. Now, let's dive into our topic. Max, can you tell us what is mental health?
Max Holmes: Sure. According to the CDC, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, how we relate to others and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence all the way through adulthood.
Host: Wonderful. Thank you. And with May being Mental Health Awareness Month, Ashley, why is it so important?
Ashley Haynes: According to Mental Health America in 1949, they introduced Mental Health Week, which eventually became Mental Health Month to help educate Americans about mental illness and mental health. Each year, organizations and programs like ours come to together to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, help improve access to care, educate communities on signs and symptoms, and highlight mental health progress globally.
Host: Great. So Valerie, what are some ways people can get involved during Mental Health Awareness Month?
Valerie Brown: Yes. We would love for the community to help us spread the word through awareness, support and advocacy activities. We have in the month of May a community mental wellness challenge occurring, that is weekly challenges to share photos of getting active, enjoying hobbies, social time with friends and family and doing self-care. Also, community members can do something to improve their own mental health, such as taking a walk outside, practicing mindfulness, or watching your favorite movie with a friend. You can also learn the signs and symptoms to watch for if a friend or family member is in crisis and share your own mental health journey or why mental health matters to you.
Host: Great. Those are some really easy ways for community members to get involved. So, Max, what are some of the signs or symptoms that indicate someone we know is struggling with their mental health?
Max Holmes: Well, some of those signs and symptoms can include changes in sleep or eating patterns, whether they increase or decrease, you know, expression of feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, or just wanting to give up; frequent trips to the doctor or the emergency department for an unexplained illness, frequent yelling and fighting with family or friends, little to no energy, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, mood swings; an inability to perform daily tasks, such as basic hygiene, missing appointments, or not cleaning up after themselves; and also, unexplained aches and pains. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, we want you to know you are not alone. You can talk to your doctor or contact us at 217-357-6516.
Host: Very important to have that number. Thank you for sharing it. So, Ashley, if we're seeing some of these signs and symptoms in a loved one, what can someone do if someone they care about is struggling with their mental health?
Ashley Haynes: According to the APA, some things you can do are express your concerns and willingness to listen and reassure them that you care about them. Use I statements. For example, use "I'm worried about you. I would like you to consider talking with a counselor" rather than "You are..." or "You should..." Try to show patients in caring and not be judgmental of their thoughts and actions. Listen, don't disregard or challenge the person's feelings. Encourage them to go to a mental health professional or their primary care provider. For some people, it may be helpful to compare the situation to a physical health concern and how they would respond. For example, if there was a concern about diabetes or high blood pressure, would they be likely to seek medical care? Remind them that seeking help is a sign of strength.
Host: Thank you. Well, we talked in the intro about older adults and the challenges that they face. So Max, can you tell us about the challenges that older adults face as they age, and how do these challenges affect their mental health?
Max Holmes: Often depression and anxiety come from a significant life change. Feelings of sadness, guilt, hopelessness or worthlessness occur due to some of these common older adult life transitions. Retirement, kids growing older with their own families, your physical abilities being different than they used to be, potential new home environment, losing loved ones, feeling more dependent on others for care. As we grow older, we experience more of these life transitions, and often they can be painful and complex.
As we compare older adulthood to the previous chapters in our lives, many changes that occurred are things we initiated. As we get into later adulthood, it is much more likely that some of these things we experience are because of involuntary circumstances. Change is hard even if we initiate those changes ourselves. It is significantly different from having change forced upon us and all the other experiences we did not anticipate.
Host: Absolutely, that change is very, very hard and definitely impacts this age group. So Ashley, why is it important to talk about mental health and wellness for older adults?
Ashley Haynes: Symptoms of depression and anxiety often go unnoticed or overlooked, and even the person experiencing these feelings may often think this is a normal part of aging. There is a large population of older adults, and they need to know that they don't have to feel this way. It doesn't have to become their norm. In fact, according to recent studies done by the Mental Health America, about 58% of people age 65 and older believe it is normal for people to get depressed as they grow older. We want you to know that there are ways to restore your quality of life.
Host: That is so interesting, that people kind of expect to get depressed as they grow older. So Max, how can we help people to improve their mental health?
Max Holmes: So for mental health month this year, Mental Health America's encouraging individuals to look around and look within to improve their mental health. A few ways to accomplish that include trying to find 15 minutes to get some sunlight each day, whether outside or through a daylight lamp inside. Set a timer and clean whatever you can in 10 minutes. Try doing this daily to tackle cleaning up your own space in a non-overwhelming way. Put pictures of loved ones, pets, and other things you love in places you often look to stir positive thoughts and feelings throughout the day. Try keeping a journal or notepad by your bedside. If you struggle with shutting your mind off at night, write down your thoughts to attempt to clear your mind and find rest. Always remember, you are not alone. If you are struggling and need help, please talk to your doctor or reach out to us at 217-357-6516 for assistance.
Host: Absolutely. And Valerie, can you elaborate on what services your program offers and how someone would know if they were eligible for the program?
Valerie Brown: As program director, I provide a confidential assessment to determine if you or a loved one are eligible for the program. Services offered by the Evergreen Center include a confidential comprehensive assessment, group therapy, individual therapy and family therapy, medication education and management, and aftercare planning where we continue to engage and support our participants. Even though this is a group setting, we address each person individually based on their unique needs.
Host: And Max, can you elaborate on what is group therapy?
Max Holmes: Well, certainly. At the Evergreen Center, our group members, typically seven to 10 people, receive group therapy to help work toward the better quality of life, mental health and wellbeing. Group members help each other by sharing personal experiences and strengths, boosting self-esteem and confidence. By interacting with other members and receiving feedback from the group and a therapist, each group member gains a greater understanding of themselves and has the opportunity to create relationships with other people who may be facing similar challenges. During group therapy, the group may engage in open conversation guided by the therapist, which allows the group to support each other and share experiences. Often in group therapy, participants learn new skills that help their mental health wellness for the remainder of their lives.
Host: Wonderful. Thank you for that, Max. And Valerie, how do referrals to the program work?
Valerie Brown: Anyone can make a referral to our program. This can include self-referrals, referral from their primary care provider or physician, from specialists, family members, friends, neighbors, community members or groups and nursing home or residential facilities.
Host: Great. Thank you, Valerie. And as we wrap up here, Ashley, how is Memorial Hospital Evergreen Center helping to build awareness about mental health wellness in our community?
Ashley Haynes: This month, the Evergreen Center has teamed up with our behavioral health department in a community mental wellness challenge. In the month of May each week, we will have a different category of ways to promote mental wellness, and participants can engage in activities related to each category. This is a great initiative to promote mental health awareness and support in the community. For details, please visit the Memorial Hospital website. We are committed to providing excellent care to our community. We are available to answer questions about mental health, provide educational presentations, or provide information about our program to community members. We also educate other healthcare professionals about mental wellness and the specific challenges of aging.
We are dedicated ourselves to reducing the stigma surrounding mental health in our community. We do it through education, highlighting progress, amplifying the voices of those in need and improving the quality of life for the patients we serve. If you would like more information, education, or would like to discuss support for yourself or a loved one, please call us at 217-357-6516.