Jo Anne Sirey1, Jacquelin Berman2, Ashley Halkett1, Nancy Giunta3, Janice Kerrigan2, Elmira Raeifar4, Amanda Artis5, Samprit Banerjee5, Patrick J Raue1. 1. 1Department of Psychiatry,Weill Cornell Medical College,New York,New York. 2. 2New York City Department for the Aging,New York,New York. 3. 3Silberman School of Social Work,Hunter College,New York,New York. 4. 4Department of Clinical Psychology,Long Island University,Brooklyn,New York. 5. 5Department of Healthcare Policy & Research,Weill Cornell Medical College,New York,New York.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Research on the impact of natural disasters on the mental health of older adults finds both vulnerabilities and resilience. We report on the rates of clinically significant depression among older adults (aged ≥60 years) living in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the factors associated with mental health need. METHODS: The Sandy Mobilization, Assessment, Referral and Treatment for Mental Health (SMART-MH) program integrates community outreach and needs assessments to identify older adults with mental health and aging service needs. Older adults with significant anxiety or depressive symptoms were offered short-term psychotherapy. Social service referrals were made directly to community agencies. All SMART-MH activities were offered in Spanish, Russian, Mandarin/Cantonese, and English. RESULTS: Across the full sample, 14% of participants screened positive for depression. Hurricane Sandy stressors predicted increased odds of depression, including storm injury, post-storm crime, and the total count of stressors. Outcomes varied significantly by age group, such that all Sandy-related variables remained significant for younger-old adults (aged 60-74 years), whereas only the loss of access to medical care was significant for older-old adults (aged ≥75 years). CONCLUSIONS: Storm-affected communities show higher rates of depressive symptoms than seen in the general population, with storm stressors affecting mental health needs differentially by age group. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:97-109).
OBJECTIVE: Research on the impact of natural disasters on the mental health of older adults finds both vulnerabilities and resilience. We report on the rates of clinically significant depression among older adults (aged ≥60 years) living in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the factors associated with mental health need. METHODS: The Sandy Mobilization, Assessment, Referral and Treatment for Mental Health (SMART-MH) program integrates community outreach and needs assessments to identify older adults with mental health and aging service needs. Older adults with significant anxiety or depressive symptoms were offered short-term psychotherapy. Social service referrals were made directly to community agencies. All SMART-MH activities were offered in Spanish, Russian, Mandarin/Cantonese, and English. RESULTS: Across the full sample, 14% of participants screened positive for depression. Hurricane Sandy stressors predicted increased odds of depression, including storm injury, post-storm crime, and the total count of stressors. Outcomes varied significantly by age group, such that all Sandy-related variables remained significant for younger-old adults (aged 60-74 years), whereas only the loss of access to medical care was significant for older-old adults (aged ≥75 years). CONCLUSIONS: Storm-affected communities show higher rates of depressive symptoms than seen in the general population, with storm stressors affecting mental health needs differentially by age group. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:97-109).
Entities:
Keywords:
community mental health services; mental disorders; needs assessment; public health practice; vulnerable populations
Authors: Elissa Kozlov; Anna Cai; Jo Anne Sirey; Angela Ghesquiere; M Carrington Reid Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care Date: 2018-05-23 Impact factor: 2.500
Authors: Angela Ghesquiere; Daniel S Gardner; Caitlin McAfee; Cara Kenien; Elizabeth Capezuti; Elissa Kozlov; Jo Anne Sirey; M Carrington Reid Journal: Am J Hosp Palliat Care Date: 2018-01-03 Impact factor: 2.500
Authors: Jo Anne Sirey; Patrick J Raue; Nili Solomonov; Clara Scher; Alexandra Chalfin; Paula Zanotti; Jacquelin Berman; George S Alexopoulos Journal: Transl Behav Med Date: 2020-08-07 Impact factor: 3.046