PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 With an increase in the number of senior citizens being diagnosed with mental health conditions, the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas wants those 60 and older to know free mental health counseling is available.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas<\/a> offers free mental health counseling for 60 and older \u201cThere’s a lot of pressures that seniors are dealing with or experiencing, whether that’s cost of living, isolation or loneliness, especially since COVID, grief, losing a spouse, a loved one,\u201d said Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas<\/a> Director of Programs Christine Didion. \u201cSeniors can receive talk therapy with a licensed mental health counselor. We’re able to do either telehealth or meet with them at a senior center that might be close to them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0Pinellas County resident\u00a0Robert Palin, 81, has been seeing a mental health counselor through the program since 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cI just felt that a mental health counselor would be helpful in adjusting to the aging process for me, because I have a neuromuscular disability and hearing loss and sight loss, and even my voice is changing. I have difficulty negotiating large groups, public spaces,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Palin is not alone. There\u2019s been over a 57% spike in mental health diagnoses in those 65 and older between 2019 and 2023, the most recent data from Fair Health. The most common are anxiety and depression. And there was a nearly 36% increase in adults 51 to 64.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we lose our ability to do what we did for decades, we get depressed often,\u201d said Palin, who says support has made a difference. \u201cI feel more accepting of what it means to decline.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n He adds it has made a difference in self-confidence.<\/p>\n “Bringing out what you can do. I can still play the piano. I still play chess. I still am fascinated and curious about so many subjects,\u201d said Palin.<\/p>\n
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The program provides screening, assessment, in-person and virtual mental health counseling
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Fair Health reports 57.4% increase in mental health diagnoses for seniors 65 and older\u00a0<\/p>\n