Supporting mental health is critical to healthy aging

World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10th every year, with the objective of raising awareness of mental health issues and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health. It is a day to talk about the great work being done around mental health but also to address the gaps in order to better support the mental health of people worldwide.

More than 1.8 million people over 60 years of age were living with a mental health problem or illness in Canada in 2016. Common mental problems that affect the health of older adults include anxiety, depression, loneliness and even sleep disorders. Mental health issues affect physical health, emotional and social well-being, and overall quality of life. Supporting mental health is a critical consideration to the healthy aging process.

Read more about loneliness, social isolation, depression and other issues that can affect our mental health and what you can do to recognize and help someone who may be struggling.


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DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org).

Many of our Blog Posts were written before the COVID-19 pandemic and thus do not necessarily reflect the latest public health recommendations. While the content of new and old blogs identify activities that support optimal aging, it is important to defer to the most current public health recommendations. Some of the activities suggested within these blogs may need to be modified or avoided altogether to comply with changing public health recommendations. To view the latest updates from the Public Health Agency of Canada, please visit their website.