At age 91, Nila Mayes has lived a full life, one that has included its share of heartache. She has experienced the loss of a husband, two sons, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson who died at a young age.
“Thinking of them is easy, but missing them is a feeling that never goes away,” she said. “That’s the truth, especially with the loss of children.”
Mayes was among the several dozen older community members a recent mental health awareness event at Sabathani Community Center in Minneapolis. It was designed to remind seniors that they’re not alone when they face the blues.
They learned about a free mental health and suicide prevention resource available to them. The 988 Minnesota Lifeline provides real-time, confidential and emotional support, resources and hope for anyone with mental health concerns.
The Sabathani Community Center forum was hosted by activist Sheletta Brundidge and local mental health experts Lambers Fisher and Brandon Jones.
Brundidge said when she reached out to the center’s senior director, she learned that many elders in the program have experienced more struggles with mental health issues since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They are afraid to admit it because in the Black community, a cry for help is a sign of weakness,” said Brundidge. “I want to help change this narrative.”
Many of the attendees voiced their desire for more mental health information. The trio of expert presenters received numerous appreciative comments from the older participants, who expressed gratitude for their concern about their well-being.
“There was a sense from people of who attended of ‘I’m doing alright but I know somebody who might not be,’’ said Fisher, a licensed marriage and family therapist, DEI trainer and author and host of The Diversity Dude podcast on the ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com platform.
“it was great to hear them say they wanted to pass along the 988 Minnesota Lifeline and other information we shared that day to people in their lives who really need it.”
Fisher stressed the importance of talking to all ages about mental health topics.
“The 988 resource and concept, and implementing it in such a widespread way, is awesome because its benefits impact everybody from the teenager wrestling with their identity to the seniors who have literally lost their entire family, friends and support system,” he said.
Fisher conceded that a resource like 988 doesn’t replace an individual’s support system but it can help if there are gaps in that system. He noted that mental health professionals are trained to react to each person’s experiences as unique.
“We empathize, we get it, we understand,” he said. “Sometimes the people who you go to get support from are the very relationships you are struggling with, and you need someone to help you work through those relationships, which is why the 988 Minnesota Lifeline is so beneficial.”
Anyone in need of urgent mental health support can call, text or chat to 988lifeline.org for free anonymous support, resources and hope.
Comments