Registration is open for the 2023 Business of Aging: Older people and mental health

St. Mary's annual Business of Aging event is a free, virutal, panel-style discussion where leaders from around the country come together to explore the most pressing issues facing America's aging population and the organizations and people who serve them.

This year’s theme will center around mental health issues faced by America’s aging population. Older adults around the country are battling rises in substance abuse, increased isolation, and other personal and emotional challenges.

More than 20% of adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental or neurological disorder. The most common mental and neurological disorders in this age group are dementia and depression, which affect approximately 5% and 7% of the world's older adults, respectively. Anxiety disorders affect 3.8% of the older population, substance use problems affect almost 1%, and around a quarter of deaths resulting from self-harm are among people aged 60 or above. Unfortunately, substance abuse problems among older people are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. (Source: World Health Organization).

St. Mary Development sees similar statistics with its older residents, 20% of whom self-report mental health or substance abuse struggles. Over the past three years, St. Mary has worked with the Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and other partners to help residents address mental health issues. The Business of Aging event will include local, state, and national speakers sharing insights on older people and mental health, including trends and strategies. The event is virtual and free but registration is required.