Take Care of Your Mental Health
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Approximately one in five seniors will suffer from a mental health condition according to the CDC. These conditions can affect even the toughest, most resilient people. And these illnesses do not just affect quality of life; mental health conditions can seriously affect your physical health. Untreated depression, for example, can dramatically increase the mortality rate for those with heart disease, or even lead to suicide.
Let your doctor know how you’ve been feeling—be honest about your experience including thoughts of suicide.
- Review your medications with your doctor—medications can also increase one’s risk for depression and other mental health conditions.
- Be aware that chronic medical conditions increase your risk of depression—if you have heart disease, diabetes, arthritis or other chronic medical conditions.
- Be patient and stick with the treatment—mental health conditions are real illnesses and it takes time for your brain to recover. Sometimes it can take weeks before you get back to your normal self.
- Be social—social and emotional support reduces risk of mental illness and physical illness.
- Stay active—exercise keeps your brain healthy. It protects against cognitive decline, boosts memory, and improves decision-making and sleep.
- Get good sleep—our sleeping patterns change with age, but some people have more trouble sleeping than others as they grow older. If you are having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor.
- Keep your environment safe—if you’re having thoughts of suicide, be safe about lethal means. If you own a firearm, entrust it to a friend until you feel well enough to take it back. Be safe about medication and do not drink excessively.
Mental Health Resources
- Visit your primary care provider, mental health professional, walk-in clinic, emergency department or urgent care;
- Find a mental health provider at findtreatment.samhsa.gov or mentalhealthamerica.net/finding-help;
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255; Veterans: Press 1
- Call 911 for emergencies.
Mini Bus Trips
- Tuesday, 11/2 Election Day to the polls. Pick-up begins 10 a.m.
- Thursday, 11/4 Walmart -pick-up starts at 8:30 a.m.
- Tuesday, 11/9 Lunch at Longhorn’s. Pick-up begins at 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, 11/16 Westfarms Shopping. Pick-up begins at 10 a.m.
- Thursday, 11/18 Walmart-pick-up begins 8:30 a.m.
- Friday, 11/19 Lunch at Francesco’s. Pick-up starts at noon
- Tuesday, 11/23 Shopping at Trader Joe’s. Pick-up begins at 9 a.m.
- Monday, 11/29 MGM Casino. Pick -up begins at 9 a.m.
- Tuesday, 11/30 Lunch at Skyline. Pick-up begins at 11 a.m.
Exercise Classes
Active & Fit—With personal trainer, Joseph Hicks on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. November 23– December 21. Five classes for $18. Ten classes for $35.
Active & Fit Advanced—With personal trainer, Joseph Hicks on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. November 3– December 15. Seven classes for $18. Seven classes for $35. You must complete a fitness test with Joseph prior to taking this class.
Chair Stretch & Strength—Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. for stretch and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. for strength. FREE.
Line Dancing—Every T & Th at 10 a.m. $2/class.
Pilates with Yoga—November 1-December 17, 20 classes for $70. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m.
Workout with Bands—With Joseph Hicks on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. Five classes for $18. November 4-December 16. Bands included.
Please visit Suffield Senior Center’s page of the Town website at www.suffieldct.gov for the complete November newsletter including the lunch menu.