Mental health has come a long way—but for older adults, it’s still too often a hidden struggle, fueling isolation at a time when connection matters most.
According to AARP, between 2019 and 2023, mental health diagnoses among adults 65 and older jumped by over 57%—the highest increase of any age group in the U.S. And yet, The National Council of Aging reported in 2023, nearly two-thirds of older adults who need mental health care never receive it.
“Too many seniors simply don’t feel okay inside, and it’s not just about chronic illness or cognitive decline. It’s about loneliness, loss, life transitions, and unspoken fears that too often go unrecognized and untreated”, says Dayna Gladstein, President & CEO of Newport Mental Health. “For older adults, mental health needs a rebrand. It needs to feel as normal—and as necessary—as getting treated for high blood pressure or managing diabetes.”
Mental and emotional well-being should be part of every older adult’s long-term health strategy, but culturally, we’re not there yet. Many older adults grew up in an era where “toughing it out” was a virtue, and talking to a therapist felt like something other people did. That stigma, combined with a healthcare system that often overlooks mental wellness in later life, is leaving millions to suffer in silence.
“There’s a need to educate and build trust and package mental health services in a way that makes it feel like something older adults want to do—not something that’s done to them,” Gladstein continued. “Because the truth is, support works. Connection heals. And it’s never too late to feel more like yourself again.”
Things are starting to shift.
More and more, we’re breaking down the stigma around mental health especially in later life. Older adults are speaking up, and communities are beginning to listen. Mental and emotional well-being are becoming a more visible and vital part of the conversation in aging well.
The National Council on Aging emphasizes that changing the conversation around mental health stigma is vital particularly for older adults who may face “compounded stigmas related to age and mental health.” They advocate for increasing awareness and encouraging an open dialog as key steps to reducing barriers and ensuring that emotional well-being is treated with the same urgency as physical health.
Getting older comes with a lot to carry: grief, health changes, fear of losing independence, and worries we don’t always say out loud. And when all you have is the TV and the walls around you, it’s easy to wonder if things will ever feel different.
But there is hope—and there are more options than many people realize.
In Rhode Island, organizations like Newport Mental Health are helping to reimagine what mental support can look like for older adults and caregivers. They’re not just treating diagnoses, they’re helping people reconnect with themselves and others, without judgment. Because people are bigger than a diagnosis. Each of us has a voice, a story, and something to contribute as long as we live.
“We need to break down the barriers that make older adults feel like they’re a burden. That feeling alone can be a sign of depression—and it keeps too many people from asking for help. We have to start listening more closely to what we’re hearing from people at home, because that’s where the quiet struggles are happening.”
“It doesn’t have to start with a diagnosis. It can start with a glimmer of honesty: ‘I’m not OK.’ That one small step of acknowledgement can begin to open the door to something better. Whether it’s a conversation with a trusted friend, a call to your local senior center, or simply allowing yourself what support might feel like, it counts,” says Gladstein.
Just like we check out blood pressure or manage our diabetes, we can learn to tend to our emotional well being with care, intention and without shame because living fully includes your mental health.
To learn more about the support available, contact Newport Mental Health at 401-846-1213. If you or a loved one is in crisis, the Crisis Helpline is available 24/7/365 by calling 401-846-1213, option 1. The helpline is answered by clinical staff and includes a mobile crisis response when needed. Helen Hames is a Certified Senior Advisor and the Founder of Age Ambassador. She helps families across Rhode Island navigate the complex decisions that come with growing older–whether that means staying safely at home or transitioning to senior living. With deep expertise and a personal approach, Helen believes that what matters most to each person should always guide the path forward. Learn more at AgeAmbassador.com.
