Senate News Update
From Senator Jane Earll
February 6, 2006

Seniors Need Mental Health, Too

We've come a long way in talking about mental illness in our commonwealth and nation.  We now know there are ways to spot mental illness and treat it. It's not a perfect science, but just by bringing the issue out of the shadows and talking openly about it, many people who would have suffered in silence are now leading fulfilling, productive lives. 

Unfortunately, mental illness among older citizens – particularly illness that leads to suicide – just doesn't get much attention. In 2002, seniors comprised of 12.3% of the population, but accounted for 17.5% of all suicides. It's time to take a close look at this problem. 

The state Senate recently passed a measure to put together a task force that, with the help of mental health professionals and other experts, will develop educational materials to identify older persons at risk for suicide, and identify barriers that prevent seniors from getting the help they need. 

We already have an idea who is most at risk. Senior citizens, especially senior males, who experience mood disorders, social isolation, divorce, widowhood and physical illness, are at risk for suicide. The challenge is being able to spot the warning signs. That means taking advantage of opportunities that present themselves. 

For example, more than half of senior adults who take their lives had contact with their primary care physicians within one month of their suicide.  Seniors frequently have contact with health professionals such as medical and osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, optometrists, dentists and dental hygienists, nurses and nurse practitioners, podiatrists, physical therapists, pharmacists, chiropractors, social workers, speech and occupational therapists and audiologists. 

However, very few health care professionals with specialized education in geriatric mental health practice in this commonwealth. More should receive such education. 

There are other opportunities for prevention that are being missed. Senior citizens frequently have contact with their peers in churches and in senior centers or contact with meals-on-wheels volunteers, home care and other direct care workers, senior citizen advocacy groups and with area agencies on aging. 

As they perform their daily functions, utility workers and postal service workers may see signs of mental distress in their senior customers. In the course of performing their law enforcement functions, police personnel may detect signs of mental distress in elderly persons they encounter. 

Many signs of suicide may seem like common-sense signs of mental distress. Few people are equipped to read these signs in a manner which would indicate that the elderly person is at imminent risk for attempting suicide. 

The job of the task force being created will be to put together materials to help those who regularly interact with seniors to see the signs of mental distress. It will report to the General Assembly on its work later this year. 

Many seniors who may once have suffered alone with mental distress or illness have found support and treatment. There is no reason this can't be the case with many more. 

As always, if you have any questions on this or any other state government matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office directly at (814) 453-2515.