After losing her mother, Karyn struggled with grief, depression, anxiety, and growing isolation. Through Carson Valley Health’s Vitality for Life program, she found senior mental health support, practical coping skills, and a community that helped her start living life on her own terms again.
When Karyn’s mother died, the depression and anxiety she had struggled with for years became too much to handle. As an only child, she felt like she was grieving alone. She had lived with anxiety and depression since she was 13, and losing her mother made her feel even more cut off. Staying home felt safe, but it also made her world shrink.
“I hardly got out of the house for the first year,” said Karyn. “I got to the point where I didn’t even want to go with my family. I just didn’t want to leave the house.”
Taking the First Step Toward Mental Health
That was when Karyn knew she needed help. She had tried therapy and psychiatric care before, but this time felt different. She began seeing Wendy Hall, a psychiatric APRN at Carson Valley Health, and learned about Vitality for Life, an intensive outpatient behavioral health program designed for adults 65 and older experiencing depression, anxiety, grief and other mental health concerns.
She chose to join because she knew she needed to make a change. Even though she thought it might help, she still felt nervous. By going anyway, she showed that you do not have to be fearless to take the first step toward getting help.
“The first time I went there, I was like, ‘What am I getting myself into?’ But within a couple of days, I loved it,” Karyn said.
More Than a Support Group
In the Vitality for Life group, Karyn found more than support. She learned practical ways to manage anxiety, let go of worries she could not control, and set healthy boundaries. Sharing experiences with others facing similar challenges gave her a sense of connection and belonging.
“Those people know things about you that no one else knows,” Karyn said. “They are safe, and they’re not going to judge you. We all became close.”
Although Karyn appreciates the connections she made, the 12-week program was designed to support her as an individual, too. Each participant begins with a personalized treatment plan based on their unique needs and goals. Alongside group sessions, every participant also meets one-on-one with a therapist each week and receives psychiatric care as needed, with their care evolving as they build confidence and develop new skills.
“We don’t expect every patient to follow the same path,” said Erin Dudley, Behavioral Health Services Manager at Carson Valley Health. “Participants learn practical skills in a group setting while also receiving individualized care. Our multidisciplinary team works together to create a plan that’s tailored to each person’s unique needs.”
Finding Connection, Confidence and Peace
At 71, Karyn found a sense of peace and freedom she wishes she had discovered years earlier.
“The minute I walked in that room, I felt so much peace. I knew it was going to be okay,” Karyn said. “I’m living my life for me now. This is my time.”
Find Support for Depression, Anxiety and Grief Later in Life
