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Older Americans' Mental Health Week — May 23-29,
2004
Created by the Older Women's League
The Older Women's League (OWL) created Older Americans' Mental
Health Week to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness
that keeps many older adults from seeking needed treatment.
Older American's Mental Health Week, May 23-29, 2004, is an
annual public health campaign dedicated to increasing public
awareness and understanding of mental illness, especially among
older adult women.
May is both Older Americans' Month and Mental Health Month
that includes Older Americans' Mental Health Week. OWL created
Older Americans' Mental Health Week because:
- Mental illness is not a normal part of aging.
- Mental illnesses are real, common, and treatable.
- The more you know about mental health and aging, the more
you can help yourself and others.
- Mentally healthy adults continue to learn, grow, thrive,
enjoy life, and contribute to society.
- Public policy should promote mental health among the aging.
People of all ages mistakenly assume that mental health problems
are a normal part of aging and cannot be treated. This mistaken
thinking has serious implications, especially for midlife and
older women. Women are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed
with depression and, on average, live six
years longer than men, further extending the opportunity for
undiagnosed illness. Also, as caregivers, midlife and older
women are often left to deal with undiagnosed and untreated
mental health disorders in family and others.
The goal of Older Americans' Mental Health Week is to identify
and eliminate barriers to diagnosis and treatment of mental
health disorders through public education and advocacy. Lead
partners include the National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
and the National Council on the Aging. For further information
on Older Americans' Mental Health Week, click on:
http://www.owl-national.org/mentalhealthweek/index.html
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