[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 92 (Thursday, May 26, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 657--DESIGNATING MAY 16, 2022, AS ``OLDER AMERICANS 
 MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY'' TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH 
                         NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS

  Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Mr. Blumenthal, 
Ms. Collins, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Kelly, and Mr. Braun) submitted the 
following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 657

       Whereas May 2022 is both ``Older Americans Month'' and 
     ``Mental Health Awareness Month'';
       Whereas the population of individuals age 56 or older 
     increased from 39,600,000 in 2009 to 54,100,000 in 2019 and 
     is projected to reach 94,700,000 in 2060;
       Whereas 20 percent of older adults suffer from a mental 
     health condition, such as depression, anxiety, bipolar 
     disorder, or serious mental illness;
       Whereas older adults had a higher risk of suicide compared 
     to other age groups in 2020. In fact, during that year--
       (1) individuals age 85 or older had the highest rate of 
     suicide among all age groups; and
       (2) individuals age 75 to 84 had the second highest rate of 
     suicide among all age groups.
       Whereas, according to the American Psychological 
     Association, older adults underutilize mental health services 
     because of service constraints, limited awareness, or a 
     stigma surrounding mental health;
       Whereas the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have 
     negatively impacted the behavioral health of older adults;
       Whereas aging could possibly lead to social and physical 
     changes that may increase vulnerability to substance use 
     disorders;
       Whereas poor mental health and substance use disorders 
     reduce life expectancy among older adults and increase the 
     risk of adverse health outcomes and conditions, such as heart 
     disease, dementia, and diabetes;
       Whereas mental health disorders for older adults, 
     especially depression and anxiety, are major contributors to 
     and exacerbate social isolation;
       Whereas mental health diagnoses drive spending in the 
     Medicare and Medicaid programs for an already high-cost 
     population;
       Whereas spending for individuals with a mental health 
     disorder is more than twice that for individuals who are 
     eligible for both such programs without such a diagnosis;
       Whereas more than one-tenth of individuals age 65 or older 
     binge drink, which is defined as drinking 5 or more drinks on 
     the same occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on the same 
     occasion for women; and
       Whereas by 2030, the United States will need 5,790 more 
     geropsychologists to meet the needs of older adults in the 
     United States, highlighting the need for outreach to increase 
     availability of trained specialists: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 16, 2022, as ``Older Americans Mental 
     Health Awareness Day'';
       (2) recognizes the unmet mental health and substance use 
     disorder needs of older adults;
       (3) recognizes the need for a robust mental health and 
     substance use disorder workforce trained in the unique needs 
     of older adults to screen, assess, and intervene as 
     appropriate; and
       (4) recognizes the need to advance bipartisan solutions to 
     address the mental health needs and substance use disorder 
     needs of older adults.

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