Aging and your wellness

On Jan. 25, Melissa Kero, CNCMHNet Case Manager for North Star Behavioral Health Services, paid the seniors at the Seniors Center a visit to talk about their mental health and wellness and how the Mental Health Net Aging Project can help them.

The goal of MHNet Aging Project is to reach out to seniors who are 60 years old or older who may be experiencing increased difficulty of day to day life and to improve their access to behavioral health services. This process involves a free and confidential wellness screening in order to evaluate overall mental health and wellness and to connect seniors to any services they may need. The barrier between seniors and services is the common misconception that mental health pertains only to medical disorders when in fact it describes an array of problems from the minor feeling of sadness to those more serious. Even if the minor issues are not dealt with they can become major problems. Getting help does not mean a limit to ones independence, but instead the purpose is to help maintain that independence. The results of this project will assist Franklin County in identifying needed services for older adults.

If you feel like you or someone you know may need help during their daily lives let them know that it’s O.K. and that the MHNet Aging Project is here to help, just call 518-891-2319.

photo by Mary La France