Where can older adults find help for mental health concerns?
Mental health concerns are a serious concern at any age, and everyone deserves help and support. If youre concerned about your mental health, you can: Talk to your family doctor or go to a walk-in clinic Call the Mental Health Support Line at 310-6789 (no area code) for information about services in your area Find your local mental health centre or program at www.gov.bc.ca/mentalhealth (you may need a doctors referral to access some programs) Find your local Canadian Mental Health Association branch at www.cmha.bc.ca and ask for information about local services Contact a local seniors support organization or group and ask for advice. You can search for organizations at www.bc211.ca For general information about seniors mental health: Find resources from the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health at www.ccsmh.ca Find info sheets in the Seniors and Depression Series at www.heretohelp.bc.ca/factsheet/seniors-and-depression-series If you are concerned about a loved one: Be honest about your concerns, like changes youve noticed or problems that have come up Give your loved one a chance to talk about their perspectives. They may have a different take on the problem or have different priorities in their health care Be patientit will probably take more than one conversation Whenever possible, aim for cooperation. Focus on finding an action or solution that everyone can agree on Remember that asking for help is hard for many of us, and it can be even harder as peoples roles and abilities change. If your loved one isnt willing to talk about their experiences with you right away, offer alternatives like the BC Mental Health Support Line (310-6789no area code needed), the Seniors Distress Line (604-872-1234) or a local seniors support organization (search for organizations at www.bc211.ca) Seek support to manage your expectations and your own well-being. It can be very stressful to see a loved one experience health problems. But adults who can care for themselves and arent at risk of harm are free to make their own choicesand that includes refusing help