Mental illness & aging can often be a double stigma. Older adults & care partners are less likely to identify a problem as a symptom of a mental health disorder. Older adults have high rates of late onset mental health disorders (anxiety/depression) & low rates of identification & treatment. Even "mild" mental illness symptoms can have catastrophic consequences in vulnerable older adults.
Mental Health 1st Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors & warning signs of mental illnesses, builds understanding of their impact & overviews common supports. The 8-hour course uses lecture, role-playing, videos & simulations to demonstrate how to offer help with an emerging mental health disorder or mental health crisis & connect persons in need of help to the appropriate professional, peer, social & self-help resources.
