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About the Foundation
Video Clips: Drs. Martha Bruce
and Paul Rosenberg on Late-Life
Depression (flash)
Watch This Video About the GMHF's Upcoming
Late-Life Depression Awareness Campaign (flash)
GMHF Highlights Video (flash)
The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation was established by the American
Association for Geriatric Psychiatry to raise awareness of psychiatric
and mental health disorders affecting the elderly, eliminate the
stigma of mental illness and treatment, promote healthy aging strategies,
and increase access to quality mental health care for the elderly.
The Foundation's Vision for America's
aging population includes:
- Increased public awareness of the importance of mental health in the aging population;
- Removal of stigmas for those seeking mental health services;
- Increased access to quality mental health care for the elderly; and
- Promotion of healthy aging strategies for all seniors, family caregivers, and others devoted to the overall health of our communities.
To achieve this vision, the Foundation's Mission is
to raise awareness of psychiatric and mental health
disorders affecting the elderly. The Foundation focuses
on public education targeted to the health care consumer
and family caregiver about mental health promotion,
prevention, and treatment. The Foundation develops
programs to enhance communication and foster broad
collaboration between the geriatric mental health research
community, mental health care providers, and the general
public.
Programmatic Themes
- Public education on depression and the elderly including depression among caregivers
- Public education on the behavioral aspects of
Alzheimer's and other dementias
- Reducing the stigma of mental illness in the aging population
- Prevention strategies for mental illness in the elderly including prevention of suicide
- Healthy aging and promotion of strong mental health among older people
The Foundation will promote these themes through development and dissemination of consumer information; partnerships with government, private, community, and consumer organizations; public information campaigns; evidence-based tool kits to enhance consumer empowerment; and the promotion of quality care in long-term care settings.
The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation is the only existing foundation solely devoted to mental health and aging. It is uniquely positioned through the collaboration of health care providers and health care consumers to advance mental health and aging issues.
The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation is a not-for-profit,
separately incorporated 501(c)3 organization. Established by the
American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP), the Foundation
is governed by an independent Board of Directors
that includes physicians, psychologists, consumers, and advocates.
The Foundation is supported by financial contributions from AAGP
members, corporations, foundations, and individuals committed to
improving the mental health of the elderly. All contributions to
the Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed
by law. Learn how to make a contribution.
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