Mental health is an essential component of our health at any age, but receives less attention, clinical care, funding, research, and policy support than physical health.

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Of the millions of older adults on Medicare who experience mental illness, only 40 to 50 percent receive treatment, and mental health is limited  by pervasive gaps in accessible, affordable, and culturally-, linguistically-, and age-appropriate care.

More philanthropic investment in mental health for older adults could improve – even save – millions of lives. Funders can improve mental health across the lifespan by expanding programs’ focus on older adults, adding mental health to their existing aging portfolios, or exploring intersections between mental health and late-life concerns such as economic security, social connection, caregiving, elder abuse, homelessness, and health equity.

GIA would like to thank West Health for supporting this brief.

Download the Mental Health and Aging Issue Brief