Education and awareness about mental illnesses
to reduce stigma and promote recovery.
to reduce stigma and promote recovery.
WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH
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OLDER ADULTS MENU
Older Adults
Stressful life events, such as declining health and/or the loss of mates, family members, or friends often increase with age. However, persistent bereavement or serious depression is not "normal" and should be treated. Normal aging is not characterized by mental or cognitive disorders. To learn more about mental health and older adults, visit our Mental Health and Aging page or one of the following resources:
- The State of Mental Health and Aging in America (.pdf; CDC, 2009)
- Older Adults and Mental Health (Chapter 5 from "Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General," 1999)
- Mentally Healthy Aging: A Report on Overcoming Stigma for Older Americans (.pdf; 2005; SAMHSA's National Mental Health Information Center)
- Grand Resource Guide (information for older adults who are parenting their grandchildren, University of Wisconsin Extension)
Mental or substance use disorders that present alone or co-occur should be recognized and treated as illnesses. On the Mental Illnesses and Older Adults page you will find brief explanations on many mental disorders, with links to more in-depth information.