Mental Health Disorders Often Go Untreated in Older Adults

About 80% of all cases of depression in older adults are treatable, yet less than half of seek treatment.
In addition to being Mental Health Awareness Month, May is also Older Americans Month, which is why this week we are exploring mental health in older adults.

Growing older should be filled with relaxing days spent with friends and family. However for almost 20% of Americans 55 and up, their “golden years” are clouded by mental health struggles, the two most common being depression and anxiety. Major life changes, such as retirement or loss of a spouse, can trigger mental health issues for some. Although rates of depression and anxiety increase as people get older, they are not a normal part of aging and symptoms shouldn’t be ignored.

Untreated depression often leads to unnecessary distress and suffering, and impaired physical, mental, and social function. It can also have a negative impact on medical treatments for other chronic illnesses. Older Americans with depression visit the doctor and emergency room more often, use more medication, and stay longer in the hospital than those without a depressive disorder. Almost 50% of older adults with depression also have late-life anxiety, however anxiety in this age group may be underreported, as older adults are much less likely to report symptoms of a mental health disorder.

Depression and anxiety can present differently in older adults. Read our latest blog to learn what symptoms to look for and when to seek help.
Don't forget about the warmlines available if you need someone to talk to. Visit our COVID page for details. The Friendship Line is specifically for those ages 60+.
Suicide Rates Among Older Adults is High

In Connecticut, From 2015 -2019, 21.3% of suicides were white, non-Hispanic men ages 65+.

Nationally, in 2019 suicide rates were highest in adults ages 85 years and older.

Risk factors for suicide in older adults include:
  • Depression
  • Prior suicide attempts
  • Marked feelings of hopelessness; lack of interest in future plans
  • Feelings of loss of independence or sense of purpose
  • Medical conditions that significantly limit functioning or life expectancy
  • Impulsivity due to cognitive impairment
  • Social isolation
  • Family discord or losses (recent death of loved one)
  • Inflexible personality or marked difficulty adapting to change
  • Access to lethal means (firearms, other weapons)
  • Daring or risk-taking behavior
  • Sudden personality changes
  • Alcohol or medication misuse or abuse
  • Verbal suicide threats such as, “You’d be better off without me” or “Maybe I won’t be around”
  • Giving away prized possessions


Do you know how to respond if someone tells you they are thinking of suicide?
  • Take the person seriously
  • Stay with them
  • Help them remove lethal means
  • Reach out to a crisis line (see below)
  • Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room
May Calendar of Events

There are tons of free events that are open to the public in May. Visit The Hub homepage to download the most
up-to-date calendar of events.

Check our website or follow us on social media for updates.

Events at a Glance
Worried About Teen Partying?
May 20th, 10 AM


2021 Women & Opioids Conference
May 21st, 9 AM - 4 PM

Raising a Well-Adjusted, Confident, Self-Reliant Boy in a Crazy, Mixed-Up Covid-19 World
May 24th, 7 PM
Ethics for Prevention Professionals
May 25th, 10 AM - 12 PM
Certified Prevention Specialist Office Hours
May 26th, 10 - 11 AM
Stamford's Mental Health & Wellness Virtual Summit
May 27th, 12 - 5 PM
QPR Training
May 26th, 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Narcan Training from
The Hub on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday monthly!


Narcan Training from Liberation Programs Every Thursday, 11 AM - 12 PM
Support Groups

Follow Us on Social Media!
Save the Date for These Trainings
Connecting for Prevention: Mental Health and Our Young People

May 24th, 4:30 - 5:30 PM
Talk Saves Life: Suicide Prevention during the COVID-19 Pandemic

May 27th, 11 AM - 1 PM
Resources & Information
Looking for Treatment & Support in Connecticut?
Download our resource guides! The updated Spanish versions are now available too.
COACH: Resources for Older Adults

This pandemic is unlike anything else we have faced in our lives. Many people have questions and might need resources or support they didn't need before. There are people and programs that can support you through this challenging time. COACH...

Read more
ctstronger.org
Resources for Those Working With or Caring for Older Adults
How Has COVID-19 Affected Your Mental Health?
The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is conducting a survey to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Connecticut residents. Critical to better understanding the current and future needs of our residents and those of the persons we serve in our system, this survey will help inform policy and programmatic decisions. To participate, a respondent must be 18 years of age or older and be a resident of Connecticut. The survey will be available online, on paper and over the phone in English, Spanish and Portuguese.


Phone number: 475-434-1899 or 475-355-5393 Mondays - Fridays 10AM-12PM.

If you have any questions or would like additional information about the survey feel free to contact Ana Florence at ana.florence@yale.edu
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Teens Are in Crisis. So Are Their Parents.

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Five Warning Signs of Mental Illness that People Miss

Identifying signs of mental illness, and acknowledging there might be a problem, is the first step toward getting help.

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Agencies Target Mental Health Issues in Older Adults

SAMHSA and other agencies are introducing communications and tech campaigns to support the mental health challenges of older people.

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governmentciomedia.com
The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT
A division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP) 
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