An estimated 17 to 30 per cent of older adults suffer from mental health disorders.
Today, Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Michael Tibollo, announced $250,000 to develop and deliver a new resource to help respond to the rising rates of mental health and addiction issues amongst seniors.
This educational program is being designed with seniors in mind after consulting with CAMH and other clinical subject matter experts, as well as community mental health and addictions service providers.
Components of the program will include resource materials and a workshop series, which will educate seniors on common risk factors and prevention strategies, signs and symptoms of mental health and addiction issues, and how to access appropriate supports. It will be delivered across the province in community settings such as Seniors Active Living Centres by in-person facilitators with expertise in mental health and addictions in early 2020.
Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Michael Tibollo says, "Too many of Ontario's seniors have waited too long for the mental health services they require."
This funding is part of the additional $174 million the government is providing this year to address critical gaps in services across Ontario and support patients and families living with mental health and addictions challenges.
"Ontarians aged 65 and older are the province's fastest-growing demographic, it is important to educate seniors to help prevent and address mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, as well as alcohol addiction and opioid use disorder," according to a news release.
Canadian studies have found that rates of depression in long-term care facilities can be as high as 40 per cent, and the rate of depression in older adults within hospitals range from 12 to 45 per cent.
According to The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction, more than 13 per cent of Canadians age 55 and older report a pattern of problematic binge drinking
