Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium Impact Reports
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To bring awareness to the need for mental health support for older adults, NCOA hosts the yearly Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium.
The 7th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium was held on May 2, 2024. This free event was co-sponsored with the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging.
Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium 2024 Impact Report
The 7th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium featured individuals sharing their personal mental health stories as well as those of caregivers and family members. The nine sessions also highlighted research findings on the state of mental health in older adults and promising programs and interventions.
The symposium ended with a call to action for all participants—to think about who they can partner with to better serve older adults and caregivers in their communities.
A few event highlights:
- Over 5,000 people participated in this year’s symposium live—the largest audience to date.
- Jenifer Lewise, the "Mother of Black Hollywood" and co-star of ABC's "Black-ish," served as the keynote speaker. She shared her experience with bipolar disorder and how access to mental health services aided in her recovery from a fall.
- Up to 5.5 continuing education credits were offered at no cost to participants for multiple disciplines including nurses, social workers, and physicians.
Calls to action for attendees:
- Discover a mental health and aging coalition or healthy aging coalition.
- Read the Generations United Report on Grandfamilies and Building Resilience.
- Research PEARLS or another behavioral health evidence-based program in my area.
- Attend additional continuing education in this area such as through the E4 Center.
- Find a local nutrition provider (such as congregate nutrition or Meals on Wheels) in my area through the the Eldercare locator.
- Find out more about the Suicide Prevention Resources for Action program in my state.
- Find a local hoarding task force.
- Promote the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline.
- Learn more about Reframing Aging.
- Continue to learn more about climate and mental health connections.
This report includes summaries and key takeaways from each session.
More about Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium impact
| Year | Summary |
|---|---|
| 2023, Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium |
The 6th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposum eas held on May 11, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. There were nine sessions. Some highlights:
|
| 2022, Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium |
The 5th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium was held on May 16 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET. There were nine sessions. Some highlights:
|
| 2021, Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium |
The 4th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium, the first hosted by NCOA, was expanded from the two-hour event of previous years to a full day and was held live online, 10 a.m.-5:15 p.m. ET. Nine sessions covered such topics as addressing ageism, what behavioral health access looks like in diverse populations, and the latest in substance use interventions. Some highlights:
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This project was supported, in part by grant number 90CSSG0048 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
