Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium
NCOA hosts the yearly Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium to spotlight the need for mental health support for older adults and share best practices.
The 2026 event, free and entirely online, takes place on May 7: Register Now.
The 9th annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium
On May 7, 2026, NCOA will host our ninth annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium, co-sponsored with the U.S. Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
In partnership with Rush University’s E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, NCOA anticipates offering continuing education credit for live sessions for several professions. Please visit the CE page for more information.
This year’s sessions highlight suicide prevention, workforce and community-based mental health strategies, evidence-based programs, and more. The welcome session will feature a conversation between NCOA President and CEO Ramsey Alwin, and mental health advocate Kevin Briggs, known as the "Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge". See the detailed agenda for more information.
2026 Agenda
- Welcome and keynote speaker
- Concurrent breakout sessions
- Geriatric Workforce Enhancement in Rural Communities: Integrating Care, Expanding Access, and Improving Outcomes
- From Clutter to Connection: Innovative Approaches to Hoarding Disorder
- Addressing Older Adult Mental Health through CDSME at Congregate Meal Sites
- Spotlight Session: Chronic Disease Self-Management and Behavioral Health: Lessons from the Field
- Concurrent breakout sessions:
- Mind, Mood, and Mobility: Integrating Behavioral Health and Falls Prevention for Older Adults
- The SLEEP Program: Evidence-Based Strategies for Better Rest and Well-Being
- Strengthening Suicide Prevention for Older Adults: State Innovations from SAMHSA's Suicide Prevention Academies
- Closing Session and Conference Wrap-Up
- Workforce and Community Strategies to Support Older Adults with Serious Mental Illness
- Mind-Body Practices for Mental Wellness: Tai Chi for Arthritis
- Closing Remarks
NCOA's Healthy Aging Programs
NCOA's Center for Healthy Aging produces solutions to support the success story of Americans living longer and healthier lives. Browse NCOA's wellness programs, tools, and resources that help improve older adults' health and well-being.
