III 

117TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 657 

Designating May 16, 2022, as ‘‘Older Americans Mental Health Awareness 

Day’’ to raise awareness of the mental health needs of older adults. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 26, 2022 

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 

RESOLUTION 

Designating May 16, 2022, as ‘‘Older Americans Mental 

Health Awareness Day’’ to raise awareness of the mental 

health needs of older adults. 

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— 


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•SRES 657 ATS 

(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 


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•SRES 657 ATS 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates May 16, 2022, as ‘‘Older Ameri3 cans Mental Health Awareness Day’’; 

4 (2) recognizes the unmet mental health and 

5 substance use disorder needs of older adults; 

6 (3) recognizes the need for a robust mental 

7 health and substance use disorder workforce trained 

8 in the unique needs of older adults to screen, assess, 

9 and intervene as appropriate; and 

10 (4) recognizes the need to advance bipartisan 

11 solutions to address the mental health needs and 

12 substance use disorder needs of older adults. 

Æ 


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