Mental Health Needs

Mental health is a catch-all term that refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. A person’s mental health will affect how they think, feel, and act, a and can be reflected to the world in how they relate to others, make decisions, and handle stress. While people are often reluctant to seek help with. Mental health issues, particularly older adults, talking with a clinical professional about the challenges you’re facing can immediately improve your quality of life. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Olesia Shalayska has a wide range of tools in her toolbox to help you or your loved one live their best life.

There are a number of steps you can take to help avoid or prevent mental health problems, but know that no one solution will work for every individual. Eating healthy, staying in contact with friends and loved ones, or participating in activities that bring you peace and joy are small steps you can take, but many people need the help of a professional, and that’s okay! Ultimately working with a doctor or therapist to understand your mental health challenges and develop coping strategies and exploring treatment options will be most helpful.

 There are a lot of reasons you might be worried about a family member or loved one’s mental health. Changes in behavior or attitude can be obvious and immediate or happen more gradually. The best thing you can do if you’re worried about a family member’s mental health is to encourage them to seek help from a professional. If your loved one is in crisis and in danger of hurting themselves or others, please treat that as an emergency and seek professional assistance immediately.