Seniors' Mental Health

With funding support from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), the Canadian Coalition on Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) developed the first-ever evidence-based national guidelines on seniors’ mental health addressing depression, suicide, delirium, and the management of mental health issues in long-term care facilities. The CCSMH has since set up pilot sites across Canada to evaluate and implement the guidelines and translate them into new tools and resources for health practitioners. The guidelines and tools are now available on the CCSMH (External link) Web Site.

Four reports are available as part of the National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health:

• The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium (External link)
• The Assessment and Treatment of Depression (External link)
• The Assessment and Suicide Risk and Prevention of Suicide (External link)
• The Assessment and Treatment of Mental Health Issues in Long Term Care Homes (Focus on Mood and Behavioral Symptoms) (External link)

As well, four User-friendly Educational Guides for Seniors and their Families are available:

• Delirium in Older Adults: a guide for seniors and their families (External link)
• Depression in Older Adults: a guide for seniors and their families (External link)
• Suicide Prevention among Older Adults: a guide for family members (External link)
• Mental Health Issues in Long-Term Care Homes : a guide for seniors and their families (External link)

For More Information