NASW Promotes Older Americans' Mental Health Week — May 23 to 29, 2004

WASHINGTON —The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is proud to announce that it is partnering with the Older Women's League (OWL) to promote Older Americans' Mental Health Week, May 23 to 29, 2004.

Older adults commit suicide at a rate higher than any other age group in the United States . Although adults aged 65 and older comprise only 13 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 18 percent of the total number of suicides in 2000 according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). According to the American Association of Suicidology people aged 85 and older have the highest rate of suicide, and the second highest rate are among adults aged 75 to 84. Although 20 percent of older Americans have a diagnosable mental illness, research shows that fewer than one in four are fortunate enough to get any mental health attention or appropriate care.

New research from NIMH demonstrates that basic interventions to address depression in primary care settings can successfully relieve suffering and suicidal ideation among older adults. In a recent study, older adults who tested positive for symptoms of depression were either assigned to a “care manager” or received “usual care” (no care manager). Seventy percent of those with a care manager had no more suicidal urges, while only 44 percent of those without a care manager had a complete reduction in such thoughts.

Older Americans' Mental Health Week exists to raise awareness about the mental health needs of older adults. This year's campaign will focus on improving communication between physicians and older adults.

Information about Older Americans' Mental Health Week can be obtained at OWL's Web site www.owl-national.org , including tips for improving communication between physicians and older adults, and activities to consider as part of this campaign.

NASW Fact Sheet About Promoting Older Americans' Mental Health Week — May 23 to 29, 2004

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington , DC , is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 150,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families and communities through its advocacy.