June Newsletter
June Newsletter
Summer is here!
Community Partners & Friends,
The Orbit Health team would like to take a minute to celebrate the arrival of summer and the many opportunities it presents for people to engage in fun, healthy, and mentally uplifting activities! Indeed, the longer days and warm weather encourage many people to enjoy the outdoors, exercise, and make more time for family and friends.
However, it’s important to note this favored time of year is also associated with certain behavioral health risks–particularly for children and adolescents whose break in schooling can disrupt friend groups, schedules, and overall structure. Specific risks include too much “screen time” on smartphones or computers, internet addiction, social isolation, sleep disorders and resulting anxiety and depression.
Adults also face summertime increases in certain mental health risks. Some of these overlap with those affecting children, such as schedule disruptions that impact sleep and increase anxiety and depression. Studies show others, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), are more prevalent for some adults during summer. Finally, those with substance use disorders (SUDs) might struggle with maintaining sobriety during the many summertime activities that often include social drinking.
With that said, Orbit Health wishes everyone a happy, fun, and safe summer! We’re committed to our mission of promoting mental wellness to all through accessible, quality, telepsychiatry and therapy. If you think an Orbit Health partnership might help you better serve your community, call us today for a complimentary consultation.
Behavioral Health Spotlight
Mental Health Support for Older Adults
Some people might be surprised to learn older Americans often suffer from undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions. Indeed, the senior community is otherwise very engaged with the healthcare system, due to age-related diagnoses and robust Medicare benefits. There are many reasons for this phenomenon.
First, the stigma associated with mental illness is much stronger among older generations, so they are less likely to seek and accept care. Second, the prevalence of age-related cognitive issues, including dementia, leads to the underdiagnosing of mental health conditions. Finally, social isolation is more common with seniors and can lead to mood disorders and cognitive decline.
When consulting with seniors, healthcare providers should be especially aware of the following conditions affecting geriatric patients: anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders (SUDs). The first two conditions can present as symptoms of dementia but can also be stand-alone diagnoses for those without cognitive impairment. And SUDs are very underreported among seniors. Younger family members are often reluctant to address SUD concerns with their older loved ones, and seniors themselves might be too prideful to seek help.
Orbit Health’s mission is to provide accessible, high-quality behavioral health care for all, including seniors. If your PACE program, FQHC, clinic, or county is looking to improve behavioral health services for seniors, schedule an expert consultation today!
Follow Orbit Health on LinkedIn
or Schedule a partnership consultation TODAY!
