CMHA celebrates Seniors Month 

June is Seniors Month in Ontario and this year’s theme is Working for Seniors. CMHA Niagara is recognizing and celebrating the hard work seniors have done all their lives to make Ontario a wonderful place to live.  

Unfortunately, many seniors experience significant depression. It is estimated that in Ontario, 289,000 to 680,000 of adults over the age of 65 (17 to 30 per cent) are affected by mental health problems, depending on which diagnoses are included in the analysis. 

If you are a senior or know someone who could benefit from mental health and addiction programs for Ontario’s aging population, CMHA Niagara offers programs to support you, including same-day counselling, Ontario Structured Psychotherapy, Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST), Safe Beds, Real Work Specialized Employment Program, Case Management, Transitional Housing Support Program, Group Counselling, Supporting housing, and Court Diversion and support.

For information on navigating these challenges, the Ontario government website offers several resources to support seniors. Additionally, other notable resources include: Mental health counselling and treatment for older adults, Active living, health and wellness supports, and A Friendly Voice which is a free, confidential phone line for Ontarians 55+ who want to chat with a friendly person. Call toll-free 1-855-892-9992 between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.