Written by Julie McDowell, Vice President of Advancement, Provident Behavior Health & Nancy Morrow-Howell, Co-director, Center for Aging, Brown School, WashU
We know that loneliness, isolation, and depression have adverse effects on our health and wellbeing at any age. In later life, we may face challenges that increase risk for mental health problems, including reduced social connections, mobility limitations, and chronic health conditions. According to the 2023 Surgeon General Report, older people who are lonely are at higher risk for elevated blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. The National Institutes of Health noted that people with depression are at higher risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, stroke, pain, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. Mental illness can exacerbate medical debt and cause a significant strain on caregivers and medical systems. Older adults also face a higher risk of suicide than the general populace; while they make up 16.8% of the population, they account for 22% of those who die by suicide.
Despite the need for mental health services, older adults are less likely to access treatment. There are several explanations for the reality that older people are less likely to seek treatment than their younger counterparts – older generations attach more stigma to mental health problems; older people experience more complex medical conditions that make recognition of mental health issues difficult; older adults live on fixed incomes and some providers do not accept Medicare payment. In sum, older adults are more likely to go undiagnosed and undertreated for mental health problems.
As the number of older adults continue to grow in this society, we need better ways to ensure mental health across the longer life course. We must seek to eliminate stigma, increase access and overcome financial barriers. Provident Behavioral Health, a nonprofit that has served St. Louis since 1860, is providing some solutions. Provident is offering a new program called TeleHope. This telephonic support program connects older adults and caregivers to care coordinators who make outgoing calls to address behavioral health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and social isolation.
Like most of Provident’s programs, TeleHope is based in evidence, following the Caring Contacts model that is sometimes used for individuals experiencing suicidality. Thanks to funding from the St. Louis Mental Health Board, The Marillac Fund, and the Jefferson County Community Mental Health Fund Board, this service is available at no cost to St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and Jefferson County residents aged 55+. Caregivers and prospective clients may call 314-884-6182 (City) or 314-884-6186 (County or JeffCo) to enroll in this free program. This new program is in addition to the long-standing counseling and psychiatric services provided by Provident and the national 988 suicide and crisis hotline available to people of all ages.
Effective, accessible services are available to keep us mentally and physically healthy. Behavioral health services support not only the wellbeing of older adults, but also the wellbeing of caregivers and our communities. Through programs like these, Provident ensures that these services are easily accessible for all.
Additional Resources:
Caring contacts for suicide prevention: A systematic review and meta-analysis – PubMed
The relationship between physical and mental health: A mediation analysis – PubMed