General Public Resources

Publications Included in the 2009 Toolkit:  (Click on them to download)

General Mental Health Information

The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry has toolkits in English and Spanish at http://www.gmhfonline.org. See “Consumer/Patient Information.”

The American Psychological Association Office on Aging has a variety of resources on its publications page, including Older Adults' Health and Age-Related Changes: Reality Versus Myth. See:  http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/publications.html

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a free, comprehensive toolkit of mental health resources for the aging called “Get Connected.” E-mail info@health.org or call 1-800-729-6686.

The National Institute of Mental Health has a publication on older adults and depression. Visit www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/index.cfm

Finding Local Treatment

Mental Health America provides referrals for local treatment at 1-800-969-6642

Insight Meditation Community of Washington is www.imcw.org.

The US Center for Mental Health Services provides resources for finding local mental health services at

http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/fastfact2.

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation has an online search engine to help patients find a psychiatrist in their area who specialize in helping older adults. Go to www.gmhfonline.org and see “Find a Geriatric Psychiatrist.”

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has a National Social Worker Finder which allows users to search for a social worker focusing on various age groups, and/or to search by specialty, e.g., aging, depression, grief/loss, and life transitions. See: www.helppro.com/aspdocs/naswbsearch1.asp.

How to Help Someone

The Alzheimer’s Association has general information for patients and caregivers on symptoms, stages and treatment of Alzheimer’s. Please see www.alz.org.

The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation offers extensive information for people caring for friends and family with Alzheimer’s at http://www.gmhfonline.org/gmhf, see “Consumer/Patient Information and click on Caregiving.”

The American Psychological Association's brochure, “Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions,” includes information about types of abuse and neglect, what causes it, and where to go for help. http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/eldabuse.html

Prevention

The Alzheimer’s Association provides “Tips to Keeping your Brain Healthy” at

http://www.alz.org/we_can_help_brain_health_maintain_your_brain.asp

Mental Health America gives “10 Ways tips to improving Mental Health in Older Adults” at http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/ten-tips/10-tips-for-improving-the-mental-health-of-older-adults/10-tips-for-improving-the-mental-health-of-older-adults.

The Washington Post has published an article on mental exercises that can boost brain power. This article can be accessed at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/29/AR2006122901726_pf.html

Substance Abuse Information

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has an Older American’s Technical Assistance Center, which has a variety of resources dealing with substance abuse and older adults. See http://www.samhsa.gov/OlderAdultsTAC/index.aspx

Health Observances

Mental Health America sponsors Mental Health Month each May. More information—including fact sheets and an activities guide—is available at www.nmha.org.

The U.S. Administration on Aging sponsors Older Americans’ Month every May. More very useful information on state and area resources on aging is available at www.aoa.gov