The rambling, incoherent old person is a comedy staple on TV shows, movies, and even cartoons. We now know that, barring a brain issue, so called senior citizens are intelligent, creative, and capable of learning just as much as younger people, but in different ways.

Aging does, however, bring unique mental health concerns. Depression and anxiety are on the rise among mature Americans, and the suicide rate among older men is among the highest in the nation. There’s also a lingering sense of being less valued than we were in earlier times.

On April 14th at 7pm on Thursdays with NAMI, NAMI NC Executive Director Garry Crites will welcome two guests who know a lot about mental health and aging. Until recently Jamie Sales was a member of the Justice System Innovation Section of the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Substance Abuse Services; she also has a background in mental health and aging and is a caregiver for her father. Dr. Brian Carpenter is a Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. He teaches courses on the psychology of aging, and he directs a research laboratory which studies ways to improve communication between older adults and their healthcare providers and family members. Join us for an important discussion on a topic that all of us will face.

Thursdays with NAMI starts at 7pm and is free and open to all. Join us via Facebook Live or click here to register to participate via Zoom and to view the schedule for future session.