Importance of Mental Health in Your Longevity Strategy

October 29, 2024 | By Kindbridge

While the “longevity” concept has been around for as long as people have been trying to live longer, it has taken on a more specific meaning over the last decade. The modern longevity movement is still about extending one’s life, but now places equal if not greater importance on quality of life. Nutritional and medicinal interventions along with increased focus on musculoskeletal movements and exercises are key components in the search for the so-called fountain of youth. These integrations come courtesy of professionals (physicians, nutritionists, physical therapists, et cetera) to ensure effectiveness and safety. However, when one considers that mental health and longevity are also intrinsically linked, it becomes clear that no longevity strategy should exclude clinical counseling.

Simply stated, if you want to enjoy a longer and higher-quality life (all else equal) then mental / behavioral health treatments should be added to your longevity plan. Here’s why.

Overview of How Behavioral / Mental Health Treatments are Critical Components to Longevity Strategies

I. Link Between Mental Health Issues and Mortality Rates

Living with mental health issues logically has a negative impact on one’s quality of life, however it is also associated with a shorter life span. In understanding this, longevity strategies must include an assessment for common mental health concerns followed by therapeutic interventions where required. Below is a summary of research and statistics regarding these mental health issues and mortality rates.

Anxiety Disorders

Research shows that anxiety disorders are associated with significantly increased mortality risk. One often-cited study found that during the study period, 5.5% of patients with an anxiety disorder died compared to 4·7% of those considered to be of the general population. This risk varies depending on the type of anxiety diagnosed. Further, cooccurrence of anxiety and depression plays an important part in increased mortality, although rates significant after adjustment for comorbidity.

Chronic Stress

Studies confirm that high amounts of stress and the perception that stress impacts health are each associated with higher mortality rates in the United States, with 43% facing an increased risk of premature death.

Depression

Researchers state that increased mortality rates in people who struggle with depressive disorders must factor in a variety of related mechanisms. These include higher suicide rates, disposition to hazardous behaviors (substance abuse, etc.), psychologic reactions to developing a medical illness, biological dysregulations, and noncompliance with medical treatment. In either case, findings show that there is an increased risk of mortality in depression. In compiling data of more than two-dozen studies with more than a 106,000 subjects, the overall relative risk of death in depressed subjects was 1.81 compared to non-depressed subjects. Of particular concern, is that the elevated risk exists in major depression and in subclinical/subthreshold forms of depression.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

PTSD was once considered an anxiety disorder but has been reclassified as a Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder which is why we are separating it here in this discussion of mortality rates. Research finds that PTSD is associated with a 47% greater risk of mortality. Most studies focus on male military veteran populations, indicating that more is research is required amongst women (military and civilians) and for the general population.

Anger Problems

Studies have found an association of anger frequency and aggressive expression levels with higher mortality rates. The risk of all-cause mortality is marginal, but more notable with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and respiratory issues. Higher anger frequency levels are more strongly related to increased CVD-mortality risk (1.17) and respiratory-mortality risk (.79) when compared to the general population.

II. Link Between Behavioral Health Issues and Mortality

There are behavioral health issues that are known to cooccur with the mental health concerns addressed above which are also associated with increased risk of mortality. And as with these mental health concerns, the connection between behavioral health issues and mortality rates are nuanced and variable depending upon a variety of factors (age, gender, etc.). Regardless, it is important to share the general statistics below so that you can identify whether or not a “bad habit” or compulsion may sideline your longevity strategy.

Problem Gambling

Research finds that mortality rates are 1.8-times higher for individuals (20–74 years old) with gambling disorder (GD) compared to the general population. Mortality rates are 1.5 times higher for men, and 2.1 times higher for women. To reiterate, comorbidity with other mental health issues and suicidality is involved.

Unhealthy Gaming

There is little evidence to suggest that unhealthy video gaming is associated with higher mortality rates, although research does point to areas of concern regarding extremely long gaming time. Further, associated concerns such as frequent periods of immobility, poor eating habits, and limited time spent outdoors can absolutely impact an unhealthy gamer’s overall health and longevity strategy.

Problem Porn Use

There is little evidence to suggest that unhealthy use of pornography is associated with higher mortality rates. That being said, the signs and symptoms of problem porn use (loss of interest in activities such as exercise, etc.) are associated with compromised physical health which can directly impact longevity strategies.

Sex Addiction

There is little research regarding sex addiction and mortality rates. However, symptoms of sex addiction such as unprotected intercourse and loss of interest in alternative physical activities (etc.) are directly associated with mortality risk.

III. Preventive Mental Health is the Best Medicine

As everything above indicates, any existing, underlying, and predisposing mental health issue must be addressed if you want to live a longer and healthier life. However, even if there is no identifiable concern today a preventive mental health strategy is advised because the future invariably includes stressors and challenges to emotional wellness.

The type and quality of preventive mental health platform chosen is critical, with Kindbridge being the alternative to consider for the following reasons:

Kindbridge provides preventive mental health screening
Kindbridge provides greater accessibility via online and telehealth services
Kindbridge provides preventive mental health services for individuals and their families
Kindbridge provides cost effective preventive mental health services

View more on the benefits of using Kindbridge for preventive mental health.

Do you have any questions prior to booking your initial assessment and first session? Kindbridge care coordinators are on standby and ready to help. Email or call, or proceed to book your appointment today.