Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
January 9, 2006, Vol. 06-01

New Publication Available: Mentally Healthy Aging: A Report on Overcoming Stigma for Older Americans

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently released a publication that summarizes the results of two older adult roundtables held in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, California. Consumers, providers, public officials, researchers, older adults, and media representatives discussed research findings on older adults and mental health, manifestations of stigma and discrimination, barriers to eliminating stigma, and strategies to overcome the barriers. The results of these discussions are presented in this report.

Addressing the needs of older adults with mental illnesses is one of the highest priorities for SAMHSA. In American society, growing old and experiencing a mental illness can impose barriers to getting better and living a valued and productive life because society, institutions, and individuals, knowingly or unknowingly, stigmatize and discriminate against older adults with mental illnesses.

The report identifies two education and media campaigns as most promising to overcome stigma and discrimination. These include empower and educate older adults with mental illnesses and educate the public on mental health and aging. The publication is available from the SAMHSA National Mental Health Information Center at (800) 789-2647.
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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.