Insufficient Treatment For Older Patients With Depression
One in four older Americans experiences some mental disorder including depression, anxiety disorders, and dementia, according to the National Council on Aging. NCOA does not expect the situation to improve any time soon. “This number is expected to double to 15 million by 2030.” Depression alone affects seven million older Americans, but many do not receive […]
Dementia versus Mental Illness in Seniors
It can be difficult to differentiate between the effects of mental illness and dementia in senior citizens. Misdiagnosis is common between the two conditions because of their similar signs and symptoms, such as confusion and mood swings. According to the World Health Organization, dementia is a “syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior […]
Dementia versus Mental Illness in Seniors
It can be difficult to differentiate between the effects of mental illness and dementia in senior citizens. Misdiagnosis is common between the two conditions because of their similar signs and symptoms, such as confusion and mood swings. According to the World Health Organization, dementia is a “syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behavior […]
Lady Gaga Addresses Mental Health During Grammy Acceptance Speech
There has been a lot of praise for Lady Gaga’s brief remarks at the Grammy Awards. The pop star received the award for best pop duo/group performance for the song “Shallow” from the movie A Star Is Born, and she used the opportunity to talk about mental health and the importance of seeking help. “I’m […]
Virginia’s Medicaid Expansion
More people in Virginia have had access to healthcare coverage since the beginning of the year. The Commonwealth joined 32 other states in expanding Medicaid coverage, giving more adults between the ages of 19 and 64 access to quality low-cost and no-cost health insurance. The state’s Medicaid office has been working with hospitals, advocates […]
National Depression Screening Day
National Depression Screening Day is held annually on the Thursday of the first full week in October, is an education and screening event conducted by hospitals, clinics, colleges, and community groups nationwide. Much like the medical community screens for diabetes and high blood pressure, advocates would like to see large-scale mood disorder screenings for the […]
Let’s Celebrate World Mental Health Day
October 10 is World Mental Health Day. It is a day for mental health education, awareness and advocacy to fight social stigma. World Mental Health Day was first observed in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), a global mental health organization “founded in 1948 to advance, among all peoples and nations, […]
Fight Stigma During Mental Illness Awareness Week
“Cure the stigma of mental illness” is the motto in the second October week. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and other organizations will promote this theme during Mental Illness Awareness Week which takes place from October 7–13 this year. Congress officially established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week in 1990. […]
