Every October, Australia turns its attention to mental health. World Mental Health Day falls on 10 October, and several states mark the whole of October as Mental Health Month, with community events, morning teas and conversations that might not otherwise happen. Mental wellbeing after 60 deserves the same care and attention as your knees, your heart and your hearing, and this month is a timely invitation to give it exactly that.
Mental health is health, full stop
For much of the twentieth century, Australians of all ages were taught to keep their worries to themselves. Many people over 60 carry that training still. Yet government health guidance is clear that mental health is part of health, not separate from it, and that feeling persistently flat, anxious or withdrawn is worth taking seriously at any age. Low mood is not a natural or inevitable part of growing older, however often the stereotype suggests otherwise. If your mind has felt heavy for weeks rather than days, that is a signal, not a character flaw.
Small daily habits carry real weight
The encouraging news is that everyday habits appear to matter a great deal. Research suggests that regular physical activity is associated with steadier mood, and that time outdoors, particularly somewhere green, may help many people feel calmer. Sleep and mood lean on each other too, so the routines that help you sleep well tend to help your outlook as well. None of these habits is a treatment, and none replaces professional support when it is needed, but together they form a daily foundation that is well within your control.
Connection is protective company
Loneliness weighs on mental wellbeing at every age, and research suggests that meaningful social connection is associated with better mental health in later life. Meaningful is the key word. One honest conversation over a cup of tea can do more than a crowded room. October is full of easy openings, from Mental Health Month events to Seniors Month gatherings, and a simple invitation to a neighbour or an old friend costs nothing. If someone in your circle has gone quiet lately, this is a fine month to check in on them properly.
Give your mind something to chew on
Minds do better with a project. A course through a University of the Third Age, a family history rabbit hole, a garden replanned for summer, a jigsaw on the dining table or a new recipe each week all give the day a shape and give you a reason to look forward. Purpose does not need to be profound. It needs to be yours. Many people find that helping someone else, through volunteering or simply being useful to family, is the most reliable mood lifter of all.
Reaching out is a strength
If your mood has been persistently low, if worry is stealing your sleep, or if you have lost interest in things you usually enjoy, please talk to your GP. Medicare supports mental health care plans that can connect you with a psychologist, and your GP can help you decide what suits your situation. Talking to a professional is no different from having a sore shoulder assessed. If you ever find yourself in real distress, support lines such as Lifeline on 13 11 14 are there around the clock, and no concern is too small to raise.
This October, while the country talks a little more openly about mental health, let some of that conversation include you. Tend to your mind the way you would tend a garden: a little light, a little company, something growing, and help called in when a job is too big to do alone.
Important Note
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Please speak with your GP or another qualified health professional about your own situation.