5 Ways to Support Emotional Wellness in Older Adults
We spend most of our adult lives looking forward to the day we can retire and the life it will allow. However, growing older comes with...
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The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT
A division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP)
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In the U.S., 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth (ages 6 - 17) experience a mental health condition each year.
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May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to highlight the mental health issues impacting millions of lives. Mental Health America began this awareness month in 1949 and they continue to raise awareness every year. Below is a variety of information and resources.
Visit Mental Health America for a variety of resources and free screenings.​
New this year - Practical things you can do to improve your mental health
Crisis support
Crisis Support
You can also be prepared by taking Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention training.
prevention
Know the Warning Signs
Educate yourself so you can recognize warning signs of mental health conditions
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Below are some common signs. For additional signs and more information, visit the NAMI website.
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Excessive worrying or fear
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Feeling excessively sad or low
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Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
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Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
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Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
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Avoiding friends and social activities
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Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
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Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
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Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
Prevent a crisis. Reach out to one of the warmlines if you need to talk.
Teach Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills
Help children succeed in school and life by teaching social emotional learning (skills). SEL helps them learn to manage emotions, feel empathy and build positive relationships.
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Click the chart below from Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to learn more. You can also download a PDF with detailed information.
resources
general resources
For Children, teens & parents
Kids
Visit the Child Mind Institute website for more helpful resources, tools, articles and videos.
Kids Yoga for Mental Health
Activities for Kids
Maternal Mental Health
Maternal MH
Olde Adults
OLDER ADULTS
Suicide Rates Among Older Adults is High
In Connecticut, From 2015 -2019, 21.3% of suicides were white, non-Hispanic men ages 65+.
Nationally, in 2019 suicide rates were highest in adults ages 85 years and older.
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Risk factors for suicide in older adults include:
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Depression
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Prior suicide attempts
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Marked feelings of hopelessness; lack of interest in future plans
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Feelings of loss of independence or sense of purpose
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Medical conditions that significantly limit functioning or life expectancy
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Impulsivity due to cognitive impairment
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Social isolation
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Family discord or losses (recent death of loved one)
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Inflexible personality or marked difficulty adapting to change
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Access to lethal means (firearms, other weapons)
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Daring or risk-taking behavior
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Sudden personality changes
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Alcohol or medication misuse or abuse
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Verbal suicide threats such as, “You’d be better off without me” or “Maybe I won’t be around”
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Giving away prized possessions
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Take the person seriously
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Stay with them
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Help them remove lethal means
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Reach out to a crisis line (see below)
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Escort them to mental health services or an emergency room
Read these tips from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
