http://www.healthycal.org/archives/7698
The California Institute on Aging’s Friendship Line, a suicide prevention and mental health hotline specifically for seniors, provides ongoing support for elders facing anxiety, depression or other issues. Last year, the Friendship Line made 40,000 outgoing calls to offer emotional support, to remind elders to take their medication, or to connect them with services. (The line also received 18,000 incoming calls). Patrick Abore, who started the Friendship Line in 1973, would like to reach more older men with the service. “Older men feel a lot of shame and embarrassment when they need help,” said Arbore. “We have to teach men how to connect in an emotional way and get them to talk about it.” Arbore has recently received funding from the California Mental Health Services Authority to expand the Friendship Line’s visibility throughout the state.
