Senate And Assembly Mental Health Leadership Announce Landmark Legislation To Address The Mental Health Needs Of Senior Citizens

Thomas P. Morahan

SenatorMorahan, Chair of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disability, joined with his Assembly counterpart,as well as theChair of the Senate Committee on Aging to announce bipartisan landmark legislation to address the growing mental health needs of senior citizens.

At a press conference, bipartisan groupof lawmakers presented the Geriatric Mental Health Act (A4742/S7672), which will position New York as the nation’s first state to comprehensively begin to address the mental health needs of the dramatically increasing number of older Americans.

The legislation, supported by over 80 nonprofit sector advocacy and service organizations, details steps the state must begin to take in order to assure it will be ready to handle major demographic changes that will challenge its elder care and mental health systems. This legislation

requires the State Office of Mental Health, State Department of Health, State Office for the Aging and State Education Department to develop programs to expand the provision of geriatric mental health care in the state;

requires the State Office of Mental Health to consider the mental health needs of older adults in the development of its plans;

requires representation of older adults on boards dealing with the needs of the elderly;

directs the State Office of Mental Health to research the mental health needs of older adults;

directs the State Office of Mental Health to establish a demonstration program which provides grants to providers of mental health care to the elderly;

establishes a geriatric mental health public education program;

establishes the Office of Geriatric Mental Health with the State Office of Mental Health;

establishes the position of Deputy Director for Geriatric Mental Health with the State Office for the Aging.

Currently, there are an estimated 6 million American seniors suffering from depression, and only 10% of them are getting treatment. Untreated mental conditions can lead to disability, exacerbate symptoms of other illnesses, lead to premature death, and may result in suicide. The suicide rate among men is the highest among all age groups. The elderly are twice as likely to commit suicide as teenagers.

"This is vital legislation for older adults with mental disorders, who may become increasingly undeserved, based on the latest Census figures. In fact, Rockland County, which is part of my senate district, has the fastest growing population 65 and older in the entire State, having more than doubled in three decades. I therefore urge passage of this critical legislation, so that we are able to meet the mental health challenges of the elder boom," said Senator Morahan.

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