ASA has developed this toolkit to help our members spread awareness and share valuable resources on older adult mental health. 

May is both Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month. As professionals in aging, it’s crucial to highlight the importance of mental health among older adults, including promoting mental health equity, challenging the stigma around mental health, cultivating resilience, reducing barriers to accessing mental health services and strengthening the mental health workforce.

Here are the 3 main ways we suggest our members can get involved in Mental Health Awareness Month:

1) Learn more about older adult mental health.

You can start by reading the latest Generations Journal on Mental Health, Aging, and Resilience and watching ASA’s new Beyond Generations webcast series on older adult mental health, with a focus on promoting mental health equity as we age through trauma and resilience lenses.

Take the initiative to educate yourself about common mental health disorders in older adults, signs and symptoms to watch out for, and appropriate ways to offer support and assistance. Here are some resources you can explore to learn more about agingand mental health.

• National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging
• Resources from the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging
• Resources for older adults from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Mental health and aging information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization facts on the mental health of older adults
• Resources from the National Institute of Mental Health on older adults and mental health

2) Advocate for older adult mental health on social media.

Leverage social media platforms to share informative posts, articles, infographics, and personal anecdotes related to older adult mental health.

As we commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month and Older Americans Month online, it’s imperative to recognize the unique mental health challenges faced by older adults. By advocating on social media for mental health equity, combating stigma, and fostering resilience, we can create a supportive environment for older adults to thrive mentally and emotionally.

We have provided some copy you can use on your social media pages below. Feel free to copy and paste this text or adapt it with facts, articles, and other information you would like to share on the topic.

• Twitter/X:It’s #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth & #OlderAmericansMonth! Let’s raise awareness about the importance of mental health among older adults. Join me in spreading awareness and sharing resources.?#MHAM2024

  Mental health is just as important as physical health for older adults. Let’s break the stigma and prioritize mental well-being. #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

  Older adults deserve access to mental health support and resources. This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, let’s advocate for better mental health care for older adults. #MHAM2024

  Connection plays a vital role in mental health & well-being for older adults. This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, let’s promote the benefits of connecting with others and share resources to help older adults connect.

• Facebook/LinkedIn:May is not only #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth but also #OlderAmericansMonth! Join us in raising awareness about the importance of mental health among older adults. Together, let’s break the stigma and support the mental well-being of older adults.

  This #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, let’s ensure older adults have access to the resources and support they need for their mental well-being.?#MHAM2024

  Let’s prioritize mental health for older adults this #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth. Share resources, start conversations, and support initiatives that promote mental well-being among older adults.

  This #OlderAmericansMonth and #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth, let’s challenge the stigma around mental health, share resources for older adult mental health, and promote connectedness and the importance of social relationships for our health & well-being.

3) Educate others about aging and mental health.

Organize workshops, webinars, or community outreach events to educate audiences about mental health issues specific to aging, coping strategies, and available resources.

ASA will also be producing a new series of webinars to educate our members about older adult mental health. Later this year, we are partnering with Give an Hour to provide four educational webinars on the intersectionality of mental health and aging. Stay tuned for more information and registration for webinars in this series.