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Mental Health First Aid

According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing®, older adults have high rates of anxiety and depression and low rates of identification and treatment. Experts estimate that one in four older adults have a mental health condition and more than one million adults age 65 and older have a substance use challenge.

What are symptoms of mental disorders in older adults?

  • Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
  • Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
  • Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
  • Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
  • Increased worry or feeling stressed
  • Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
  • Ongoing headaches, digestive issues, or pain
  • Misuse of alcohol or drugs
  • Sadness or hopelessness
  • Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
  • Engaging in high-risk activities
  • Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
  • Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
  • Engaging in thinking or behavior that is concerning to others
  • Seeing, hearing, and feeling things that other people do not see, hear, or feel

Source: National Institute of Mental Health

A cartoon of 3 individuals in the tree pose where there arms are above their heads and one leg is placed by the knee. Green shrubbery is in the background.

Combat Social Isolation

This animated video from the National Institute on Aging features tips to help prevent and reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Mental Health First Aid Graphic, click "download pdf" below to read text within

Ways to Connect

Tip #1

NIH graphic with two cartoon people sending a heart to each other that reads "Keep in touch with your grandparents! Try video chatting or giving them a call!"

Tip #2

NIH graphic with alternating pink cupcakes and chocolate chip cookies that says, "Try a virtual cooking lesson! Learn all of grandma's favorite recipes"

Tip #3

NIH Graphic that has a cartoon of a boy at a computer, above him text reads "Ask to play a computer game together"

Mental Health First Aid Training for Individuals Caring for Older Adults

Learn How To:

  • Identify unique mental health challenges of people aged 50 and older
  • Respond to older adults who may be living with a mental illness or addiction
Logo for Mental Health First Aid, with tagline "from National Council for Mental Wellbeing"

MHFA Training Facilitators:

USI faculty and staff receive training on Mental Health First Aid

USI MHFA Certified Staff and Faculty

Click the button below to see a list of USI staff and faculty certified in Mental Health First Aid.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,691,706 million with zero percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Connect With
Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness

(812) 228-5604