About the Older Persons Division

Representatives of State Mental Health Programs for Older Persons, a division of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), are organized to carry out certain purposes of the parent organization as they specifically relate to older persons in accord with and subject to the amended bylaws of NASMHPD.

The purposes of the Older Persons Division are to highlight the needs of older persons for mental health services and to promote the quality and variety of preventive, therapeutic, and supportive services for older persons by:

1) Compiling and disseminating information about the status of programs for older persons with mental illness in the states;
2) Informing members of current and prospective legislation and funding of services for older persons;
3) Encouraging states to share planning, programming, research and evaluation in Mental Health Services for older persons;
4) Advising NASMHPD on issues relevant to the aged and representing NASMHPD as needed or requested before all groups, organizations, committees, federal and state agencies requesting information and/or input on mental health issues of older persons;
5) Advocating for access to quality services for older persons;
6) Promoting services consistent with the cultural and value preferences of older persons;
7) Serving on key groups, committees and other organizations who are attempting to address the mental health issues of older persons on behalf of NASMHPD;
8) Promoting the development of research, education and training, which would allow the states to enhance mental health programs for older persons; and
9) Performing other functions as delegated by NASMHPD regarding mental health services for older persons.

Current Activities

Click here for the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging Survey, and here for the State and Local Mental Health and Aging Coalition Survey
Response Analysis

NCMHA – 2010 Priorities

Meeting Activities

2011

Proceedings from the Older Adults Targeted Capacity Expansion Grantee Meeting, held May 22-24, 2011 in Washington, DC

2010

SAMHSA Targeted Capacity Expansion Grants TA Center

NASMHPD Older Persons Division Annual Meeting Indiana Mental Health and Aging Conference Meeting of PASRR Professionals and NAPP Board on September 16 – 18, 2010

Proceedings from the Older Adults Targeted Capacity Expansion Grantee Meeting, held February 22-23, 2010 in Tampa, Florida

Proceedings from the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging (NCOA/ASA) National Meeting held March 15-19, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois

2009
Presentations from the Older Persons Division 2009 Annual Meeting, held October 19 - 20, 2009 in, Des Moines, Iowa.

Presentations from the SAMHSA Center for Mental Health Services Older Adult Mental Health Targeted Capacity Expansion Grant Program held April 14-15, 2009 in Annapolis, MD

More Resources

Promoting Emotional Health and Preventing Suicide: A Toolkit for Senior Living Communities

Iowa Coalition Mental Health on Aging. 

National Coaltion on Mental Health and Aging (NCMHA)

For more information, e-mail us at info@nasmhpd.org.