Although seniors may be facing a mental health “crisis,” some experts have warned, older adults are the least likely age group to use mental health services.
A big part of closing that gap is about making mental health resources more accessible, and a new partnership is focused on assisting wellness for LGBTQ seniors, who often fear discrimination in long-term care settings.
Nonprofit SAGE, a group that has focused on helping LGBTQ older adults since 1978, and HearMe, a mental wellness app, have partnered to provide 24/7 support services, the organizations have announced.
Although LGBTQ seniors – the acronym stands for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer” – make up only around 5% of the long-term care population, data show that this cohort faces unique challenges that can affect both their physical and mental health.
The HearMe services include one-on-one texting with trained therapists and counselors who can guide users through issues around aging and LGBTQ concerns. Their intent is to assist with “support, understanding and connection,” the companies said, adding that there is no scheduling wait, and the conversations are anonymous and confidential.
“Sometimes the most powerful tool to combat loneliness is just an understanding listener, and that’s exactly what this app provides,” SAGE Chief Experience Officer Christina Da Costa stated. “With access to this round-the-clock support and connections, our LGBTQ+ pioneers can stay connected to an empathetic community of volunteers who respect their lived experiences and understand their challenges.”
The White House issued an executive order in 2022 calling for the US Department of Health and Human Services to look at ways to protect LGBTQ older adults.
Of the elder LGBTQ cohort, those living in rural areas may be the most at risk for feeling isolated or depressed, experts have told McKnight’s Senior Living.
