While there are many ways you can help improve your loved ones’ mental health, having conversations about it could be your best option. According to Mental Health America, about 58 percent of people aged 65 and older believe it is normal to get depressed as they grow older. Retirement, children growing older with their own families, friends dying, and deteriorating physical abilities are just some reasons seniors feel this way. Senior Life Solutions through Door County Medical Center looks to help people work through these issues with group therapy. The sessions benefit the entire group by sharing personal experiences and working together to build self-esteem and confidence. Program Director Lauren Daoust hopes seniors struggling with their mental health realize that they are not alone.

Last year, six of the eight people who died by suicide in Door County were over 60. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and you can listen to the rest of our interview with Daoust talking about mental health and how Senior Life Solutions can help by clicking this link.