Remaining Social in Times of Mental Stress
By Ashley Aiton
Eric Jensen once said “We are social beings and our brains grow in a social environment”. No matter if we are introverted or extroverted we all need social interactions with others. The extent of these social interactions will vary depending on our own personal needs. Even though it might not feel like it makes a difference, these social interactions are often what helps us through the darkest periods in our lives. Whether we are the individuals in need of support or the ones supporting it is important to keep these lines of communication open.
Many individuals tend to shut down in times of trial and not reach out for help or emotional support from others. This can cause serious loneliness. The CDC states “Loneliness and social isolation in older adults are serious public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States…”. In the past we created a society of “handling things on our own” or “hiding our weaknesses from others”. Mental health is not something that we should deal with on our own. We should not isolate ourselves from others.
In a study done by Opportunities for Health Care System states “One-quarter of community-dwelling Americans aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults in the United States report feeling lonely. People who are 50 years of age or older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can cause or exacerbate social isolation or loneliness, such as living alone, the loss of family or friends, chronic illness, and sensory impairments. Over a life course, social isolation and loneliness may be episodic or chronic, depending upon an individual’s circumstances and perceptions.”
We must start teaching younger individuals that it is okay to reach out. It is okay to talk to others so as we age we feel that we have individuals who we can turn to. We are striving as a society to help those around us feel more loved and accepted. We can only do this through our own level of influence. We have to help those around us to feel as though they never have to pass through a trial on their own. There are thousands upon thousands of support groups. We simply have to make individuals aware of the options available to them.
If you are unsure where to begin, reach out to the Rexburg Free Clinic, there are mental health appointments available every week as well as volunteer events weekly where you can meet individuals and grow more personal connections and friendships with other members of your community.
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Rexburg Free Clinic
References:
Mental Health | CDC. (2022, May 6). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020, February 27). Social Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults: Opportunities for the Health Care System. The National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/25663/social-isolation-and-loneliness-in-older-adults-opportunities-for-the