Senior Community Centers

Mental Health Advocacy

It is estimated that 18 to 25 percent of the senior population is in need of mental health care for depression, anxiety, psychosomatic disorders, adjustment to aging, and schizophrenia. The suicide rate for older adults is an alarming 21 percent, the highest of all age groups in the United States, yet few seniors receive proper care and treatment for these mental illnesses.

Senior Community Centers is committed to providing information and treatment options for all seniors, especially those already experiencing difficulty with daily activities. Our clinical team works hard to educate medical personnel, in-home care providers, and landlords about the unique needs of older adults in order to help them understand how to provide the assistance so critical to the well-being of this population. Two of the greatest challenges we face are:

Stigma
Unfortunately, many older people still believe the myth that mental health problems result from personal failure or weakness. This stigma means that they may not want to admit that a problem or symptom exists, and do not seek help.

Cultural Barriers
Senior Community Centers' clients represent diverse cultures and ethnic groups with many having grown up with the belief that mental illness was shameful and not to be discussed. They saw relatives "put away" in sanitariums and are therefore scared to request help when they are experiencing symptoms that might be diagnosed as mental illness.