Mental Health Matters at Every Age

Besides being known as the month that ushers in fall with leaves turning brilliant colors, pumpkin spice lattes, and earlier sunsets, October is also designated as National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month. The first full week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week, dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of mental health conditions. This annual event, led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) since 1990, aims to reduce stigma and promote public education around mental health. Why is this important for us to know about as we age? Doesn’t everyone have a day, occasionally, that we feel kind of blue and out of sorts?

According to the World Health Organization, more than one in five older adults age 60 and over suffer from a mental or neurological disorder, the most common being dementia and depression. Older adults often face more stigma due to behavioral health issues, which often can be written off as simply a result of growing older. Cultural expectations can often make it more difficult to acknowledge that you are depressed or anxious. Many barriers can exist to getting help, such as using insurance coverage, finding just the right therapist, or lack of transportation to see the therapist or join a support group.

Here in King County, there are many caring, dedicated and creative professionals who are trying to understand how to help older adults recognize and find help for mental health issues. Sound Generations is a nonprofit agency that provides information and resources for direct services and one-on-one assistance for older adults and caregivers in Seattle and King County. On Sept. 21, the agency hosted an expert panel and community discussion, “Building Accessible and Cohesive Behavioral Health Response for Older Adults.” This is the first in a series of conversations drilling down on the challenges that a cross-section of older adults experience, with a focus on problem solving. There were some interesting takeaways from that event.

The panelists included mental health professionals, a King County government administrator, and staff from a downtown Seattle senior center and food bank. They all concurred that there needs to be more coordinated systems for serving older adults with behavioral issues, especially when they are unhoused or experiencing cognitive disorders. Another factor that makes finding the right services more difficult is when the older adult is an immigrant or refugee, especially if they have resettled here after being traumatized by war or persecution in their home country. A “cookie cutter” approach can’t be used effectively, especially in these cases.

The panelists also pointed out that sometimes the strengths of the older adults were not recognized as part of treating the whole person; their need to feel like they are still contributing to their community, staying connected, and being as independent as they can may not be considered. Connecting older adults with natural supports like those found at senior or community centers or a Village Program (a community-based model using volunteers to help older adults live safely in their homes) can also be helpful—maybe sometimes more effective—than traditional behavioral health approaches.

For more details about this amazing conversation, please read the full article in this issue about the panel and their observations about the challenges faced by older adults, plus some ideas for improving the systems that exist to address behavioral issues.

Another article in this issue focuses on a program called PEARLS (Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives), an evidence-based, short-term coaching program designed to help older adults reduce symptoms of depression and loneliness.

There are resources available if you or someone you know is struggling with depression or having thoughts of suicide:

• Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.
• Call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988, then press 1.
• Call Sound Generations Pathways Information and Assistance at 888-435-3377 or 206-448-3110 for a range of resources including counseling.

I hope this month finds you enjoying the best parts of the fall season, but if you find yourself heading into some dark times, please reach out for help.

Contributor Alex O’Reilly chairs the Seattle-King County Advisory Council on Aging & Disability Services. She welcomes input from readers via email (advisorychair@agewisekingcounty.org).

Mark Your Calendars

The following are upcoming events of interest:

• Civic Coffee: Creativity Aging and Brain Health: Thursday, Oct. 8 (1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m.). Southeast Seattle Senior Center (4655 S. Holly St. Seattle, WA 98119) or online. Contact agefriendly@seattle.gov for more information.
• ADS Advisory Council Meeting: Friday, Oct. 9 (12 p.m.–2 p.m.) virtual meeting. To receive the meeting link and information, email michael.adusah@seattle.gov in advance.