We are thrilled to announce that an Elder Mental Health Outreach Team (EMHOT) will soon be available to our communities. With funding from a recent grant award, WMEC together with several community partners will be offering mental health support to older adults in their homes or at community sites._x000D_
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According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), nearly 1 in 4 older adults have a mental health condition, such as a mood disorder. Those with anxiety disorders and depression, which are new or have worsened by the isolation of the pandemic, are often undiagnosed and go untreated leading to severe complications such as hospitalizations and silent suicides. Older adults living in the community face added challenges in accessing Behavioral Health services including transportation, social isolation, financial burdens, fewer MH professionals with expertise treating older adults & complications of comorbid cognitive and medical health illnesses._x000D_
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WMEC will be partnering with the Belchertown, Chicopee, Hadley, South Hadley and Ware Councils on Aging (COAs) on this project. COAs are the perfect community-based service providers to coordinate prevention efforts, identify signs and symptoms, make referrals, and collaborate with treatment providers. The EMHOT partnership will include five Councils on Aging, representing urban areas with a significant Latinx population as well as rural communities. Consumers will also be identified who are living at home and in need of mental health interventions. Referrals to the program can be made by anyone concerned about an older adult who live in Belchertown, Chicopee, Granby, Hadley, Holyoke, Ludlow, South Hadley and Ware by contacting our Information and Referral Department or making a referral on line here._x000D_
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Our team includes an LCSW Social Worker who will respond to referrals, assess the consumer’s needs in their homes or at a community site, and work with a specialized Nurse Practitioner or make referrals if needed. Make a referral to the Elder Mental Health team by calling our Community Resources Team at 413.538.9020 or using the online referral form: https://www.wmeldercare.org/mental-health-outreach-referral-form
