Mental Health Town Hall Focused on Older Adults

As people age, they often experience life changes that affect their mental health. Rates of anxiety, depression, and isolation among older adults especially increased during the pandemic. Watch this episode to learn how North Carolina organizations are bringing resources to older adults to build connection and resilience.

Moderator: Anita Brown-Graham

Panelists:

• Kelly Crosbie , North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• Joyce Massey-Smith , North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
• Amber Smith, New Hanover Senior Resource Center

Featured Partners:

• Centralina Area Agency on Aging
• NC Center for Health and Wellness at UNC Asheville
• Institute for Preventative Healthcare and Advocacy

Community health workers like Kathy Avery fill gaps between the hospital system and patients who may not have access to traditional health services. This model of care is made possible through a partnership with Mountain Area Health Education Center - MAHEC , providing training and retention of healthcare professionals across western North Carolina. Learn more about this program and other efforts to help older adults access resources and care.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this important discussion, sharing new perspectives and offering insightful questions to our panelists. This series of mental health town hall events is made possible through our partnership with PBS North Carolina and with support from UNC Health. Watch the series in September on Friday evenings at 7:30 PM on PBS North Carolina. Each episode will appear on the ncIMPACT episode feed beginning on the date it premieres on PBS NC.

Premiere Dates:

• September 1: Mental Health Town Hall Focused on Youth and Young Adults
• September 8: Mental Health Town Hall Focused on Veterans
• September 15: Mental Health Town Hall Focused on Older Adults
• September 22: Mental Health Town Hall Focused on People Impacted by the Justice System

ncIMPACT and UNC's Suicide Prevention Institute are partnering with 15 community collaboratives on the "Our State, Our Wellbeing" program.

Partnering to Improve Mental Health in NC

Learn about Carolina Across 100's "Our State, Our Wellbeing." This second program of Carolina Across 100 was launched by the ncIMPACT Initiative and the UNC Suicide Prevention Institute, partnering with North Carolina communities to improve mental health and prevent suicide. Fifteen teams from 24 counties were recently selected to participate in this program.

Stay connected with data analysis, resources, events, and publications related to community improvement in North Carolina.?Subscribe to ncIMPACT