Mental Health Care for Older Americans – New Report

By 2030, more than 72 million Americans will be 65 or older, a situation that will potentially overwhelm many aspects of the nation’s health care system. A significant number of these older Americans will require care for mental health conditions and substance misuse and abuse issues.  The Mental Health and Substance Use Workforce for Older Adults: In Whose Hands? -- a new report by the Institute of Medicine -- projects the types and level of mental health and substance use care that these older Americans will need and recommends actions to ensure that the U.S. has a competent and well-trained work force to provide this care.

Advance copies will be available to reporters only beginning at 11 a.m. EDT Monday, July 9. THE REPORT IS EMBARGOED AND NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE 11 A.M. EDT TUESDAY, JULY 10. To obtain a copy of the report, contact the Office of News and Public Information; tel 202-334-2138 or e-mail news@nas.edu.