Loading...

Two elderly people on a beige couch, one with an arm around the other. Abstract art and a floor lamp in the background.

Although many older adults experience high levels of life satisfaction, some will experience mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, trauma and/or substance misuse. Often, these issues are compounded by a lack of access to mental health services, stigma related to aging and/or mental health and a general misunderstanding of how mental health concerns are experienced in later life. In this thought-provoking and practical course, participants will analyze the current prevalence of mental health concerns among older adults, recognize differences in how mental health is experienced in older adulthood and develop strategies to support older adults who may be struggling with these mental health concerns.

What You'll Learn

After completing this training, participants will be able to...

  • Analyze the current prevalence of mental health concerns among older adults living in the United States.
  • Recognize differences in how mental health is experience in older adulthood, as well as the impact of older adults’ lack of access to mental health services and stigma related to aging and/or mental health.
  • Develop strategies for community providers to support older adults who may be struggling with these mental health concerns.  

What You'll Earn

This training is approved for 3 CE clock hours for counselors and social workers, as well as prevention professionals in domain PR1 - prevention field related (renewals only) and substance use counselors in domain C2 - counseling procedures and strategies as applied to those with substance use disorder in the state of Ohio.

Additional Information

Development Date: March 2024

Target Audience: 988 crisis call line staff and other human services professionals

Content Level: Beginner

Training Outline

  • Overview of older adult mental health in the context of shifting national and state demographics
  • Key mental health diagnoses (e.g. depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance misuse)
  • How to best support older adults who may be struggling with these mental health concerns, including tips for call line employees, mental health professionals, and aging network personnel

Presenter

Matthew Fullen, PhD, LPCC

Associate Professor, Virginia Tech

Matthew Fullen, PhD, LPCC, is an associate professor at Virginia Tech, where he teaches in the counselor education program. Fullen's research, teaching and advocacy focus on the mental health needs of older adults, with an emphasis on addressing gaps in Medicare mental health policy and developing programs to enhance resilience and wellness and prevent suicide among older adults. Fullen is the counseling profession’s most active scholar on aging and mental health, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications and over 95 peer-reviewed conference presentations and keynotes. He has received research grant funding from both public and private entities, including the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Mather Institute, to develop programs that support older adults’ mental health. In recognition of his research and professional leadership related to Medicare advocacy, he has received the Virginia Tech Land Grant Scholar Award, as well as three national awards from the American Counseling Association: Counselor Educator Advocacy Award (2023), top Research Award (2021) and Carl D. Perkins Government Relations Award (2020). More information about his work can be found at agewellcounseling.org. 

Continuing Education Approvals 

The Ohio State University College of Social Work provides approvals for continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists that are accepted by the state of Ohio Counselor, Social Work, and Marriage and Family Therapist (CSWMFT) Board.

The Ohio State University College of Social Work has been approved by the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals (CDP) Board as a provider of Continuing Education, approval number: 50-24068.

Certificates & CE Reporting 

CE certificates will be available for download in your learner portal within 1 business day after submitting the evaluation survey.

Hours for those with Ohio licenses that are submitted with the evaluation survey will be reported to CE Broker every 14 days (twice per month). 

⚠️ Note: You may only complete this training once for CE credit. You may revisit the content, but only one certificate will be issued and credit will only be reported to CE Broker one time.

Cancellations, Refunds, Grievances, Accessibility Requests & Learning 

Please visit the Policies section of our website for more information on our processes for cancellations, refunds, grievances, training completions & certificates, participant conduct, and accessibility requests and learning accommodations. 

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you require an accommodation to participate in this training, please contact CSW Accessibility as early as possible and in advance of the training start date by email at csw-accessibility@osu.edu or call 614-688-1657. Requests received at least 14-days prior to the date you plan to begin a training will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the College will make every effort to meet requests that we receive regardless of lead time. 

Contact Us

For questions about the enrollment process, payment options, technology, or training records, please submit an inquiry and our Enrollment Support team will assist you within 24 hours during business days.

Submit an enrollment inquiry

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback about the training content or delivery format, please contact the CSW Office of Continuing Education at cswce@osu.edu. For questions related to the training content, our office will facilitate communication with the training instructor on your behalf and connect you, if applicable. Presenter contact information will be provided within the training for questions, feedback, or comments. 

The Ohio State University, College of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education, 302 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Road, Columbus, OH, 43210.

Phone: (614) 292-3032

Email: cswce@osu.edu 

Website: csw.osu.edu/continuing-education/  

Loading...
Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Section Title
Mental Health in Older Adulthood: What Community Providers Need to Know
Type
Online
Dates
Jul 01, 2025 to Dec 31, 2025
Delivery Options
Course Fee(s)
Free Course $0.00
Drop Request Deadline
Transfer Request Deadline
Required fields are indicated by .