“Emotional Wellness: Overcoming Isolation & Making Connections” was held on Saturday, October 3rd at the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. A total of 38 community members attended the Conversation and learned about ways to overcome feelings of isolation, improve their mental health, and nurture connections to their communities and to others in their lives.
A four-person panel of social workers, therapists, and aging services providers presented information on the different facets of emotional wellness, emphasizing ways to access community resources and to build and maintain connections.
Click here to watch the full program in our video library.
“Emotional Wellness: Overcoming Isolation & Making Connections” was presented by the LGBT Elder Initiative and sponsored by the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Support for this Conversation was provided by the Philadelphia Gay News and the videography of Peter Lien.
RESOURCES:
Isolation
Combating Social Isolation among LGBT Older Adults
http://www.kendalathome.org/blog/combating-social-isolation-among-lgbt-older-adults
AARP: 7 Things to Know About Isolation
http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/isolation/info-2012/7-facts-about-social-isolation.html
AARP: How Social Isolation Can Hurt, and How to Fight It
http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/isolation/info-2012/study-effects-social-isolation-research-cacioppo.html
SEPTA Shared Ride Program – Customized Community Transportation (CCT)
http://www.septa.org/service/cct/
Liberty Resources: Know your Rights – Accessible Transportation
http://www.libertyresources.org/resources/transportation.html
CARIE: Transportation Problems Resolution
http://www.carie.org/programs-services/advocacy-services/transportation-problems-resolution/
Depression and Mental Health
Helping a Depressed Person: How to Reach Out and Help Someone While Taking Care of Yourself
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/helping-a-depressed-person.htm
Depression in Older Adults and the Elderly: Recognize the Signs and Find Treatment that Works
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-in-older-adults-and-the-elderly.htm
Dealing with Depression: Self-Help and Coping Tips to Overcome Depression
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/dealing-with-depression.htm
Beating the Blues ™: A computerized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program for depression and anxiety
https://www.beatingthebluesus.com/
Talk Space: Online Therapy & Counseling
http://www.talkspace.com/
Philadelphia-based Mental Health Resources:
- Mazzoni Center https://mazzonicenter.org/
- Therapy Center of Philadelphia http://therapycenterofphila.org/
- Walnut Psychotherapy Center http://walnutpsychotherapycenter.com/
- Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania http://www.mhasp.org/
- William Way LGBT Peer Counseling Services http://waygay40.org/peer-counseling/
Intimacy and Relationships
American Society on Aging: Sexuality, Intimacy and Aging
http://www.asaging.org/blog/sexuality-intimacy-and-aging-it%E2%80%99s-time-talk
American Society on Aging: The Circles of Sexuality and Aging
http://www.asaging.org/blog/circles-sexuality-and-aging
Safer Sex for Seniors
http://safersex4seniors.org/
Online Dating Safety Tips
http://www.knowthenet.org.uk/knowledge-centre/online-dating-safety-tips
Community Engagement
Senior Centers:
- Philadelphia Corporation for Aging – Directory of Philadelphia Senior Centers http://www.pcaagefriendly.org/pca_search_Senior_Centers.aspx
- SAGE – Inclusive Services for LGBT Older Adults: A Practical Guide to Creating Welcoming Agencies http://sageusa.org/resources/publications.cfm?ID=107
Social Engagement:
- Meetup Groups http://www.meetup.com/
- Osher Lifelong Learning Institute http://www.temple.edu/tucc/persenrichment/olli/
Volunteerism:
- SERVE Philadelphia http://volunteer.phila.gov/
- VolunteerMatch http://www.volunteermatch.org
- Idealist http://www.idealist.org/
- Foster Grandparents http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/foster-grandparents
- RSVP http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/rsvp
- Senior Companions http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/senior-companions