Senior Resources
Diseases of the Brain such as mental illness and substance abuse can begin at any age.
- More than two million of the 34 million Americans age 65 and older suffer from some form of depression. (Mental Health America)
- Mental disorders are common in the United States, and in a given year approximately one quarter of adults are diagnosable for one or more disorders. While mental disorders are widespread in the population, the main burden of illness is concentrated among a much smaller proportion (about 6% or 1 in 17) who suffer from a seriously debilitating mental illness. (National Institute of Mental Health)
- Although many people assume that the highest rates of suicide are among the young, older white males age 85 and older actually have the highest suicide rate. Many have a depressive illness that their doctors may not detect, despite the fact that these suicide victims often visit their doctors within one month of their deaths. (National Institute of Mental Health)