Maintaining your mental health is important no matter what age you are. However, older adults are oftentimes more vulnerable to mental health conditions, including anxiety and bipolar depression.
So even as you begin to age and your life begins to transition, it is still crucial to protect your mental health. If you need a little help taking care of your mental health, the internet can be your lifeline. Discover several of the best mental health websites for seniors to find out how to boost your mental health at any age.
1. Age UK
Age UK is a national charity that is devoted to helping older adults. If you're situated within the UK, you can use the website to find in-person mental health services like dementia support, exercise classes, and social activities.
However, if you're not in the area, you can still use Age UK's website for information and advice. In fact, there is an entire Health & Wellbeing section where you can learn about topics like loneliness, conditions, illnesses, and the link between mental and physical health.
There's even a downloadable, printable mental health guide—Your Mind Matters—for those seniors who prefer having a physical guide close at hand.
2. Center for Mental Health and Aging
One of the best online platforms to learn more about senior mental health is the Center for Mental Health and Aging. What makes it special is that it caters to both seniors who are looking for mental health resources and their caregivers and professionals.
As an older adult, the site gives you access to online guides on common mental health issues, a directory of mental health providers, and a range of articles and podcast episodes. What's more, if you are a caregiver and want to further your education, the website even offers a range of on-demand courses and live webinars.
3. Senior Lifestyle
Senior Lifestyle offers various senior living services in the US, and their website provides handy mental health resources. These resources include downloadable guides and the Senior Lifestyle blog. The blog categories range from senior lifestyle and senior wellness to caregiver resources.
The Senior Wellness category features articles with tips to keep seniors fit and healthy, whether by doing a mind-body activity like Tai Chi or by playing pickleball. Remember that there is a strong link between mental health and physical health, as stated in this analysis from the Social Science & Medicine journal.
4. Independent Age
Independent Age covers it all when it comes to professional support and advice for the elderly, with topics ranging from money and technology to housing and end of life. And, of course, Independent Age also covers senior mental health and well-being.
If you are a senior or you're simply a loved one looking for online resources, navigate to the Health and Care section and tap on Mental Health. Here, you'll find everything you're looking for, whether you want to read about anxiety treatments and management or try self-help resources.
The website even includes a handy helpline that seniors can call if they ever need information, advice, or support.
5. Head to Health
Funded by the Australian Government, Head to Health offers mental health support for people of all ages, including older adults. The website gives you the choice to either find mental health help for yourself or give support to someone you love.
There are three mental health support options—you can either try Head to Health's online quiz, place a phone call, or visit a center face-to-face. Of course, the first option is ideal if you're someone who prefers to stay anonymous online. Overall, Head to Health is an excellent mental health website for men, women, children, and seniors.
6. Beyond Blue
Many factors can affect your mental health, including when you begin to grow older. Beyond Blue—an online space for mental health information and support—takes this into account and provides an entire category dedicated to the connection between getting older and mental health.
This section is called Getting Older, and it's where you can learn about mental health risk factors, signs, and symptoms as well as join an online community to chat with like-minded people. Beyond Blue even shares personal stories and experiences to inspire you.
In addition, Beyond Blue covers all bases of mental health with information, advice, and resources for mental health at work, in education, and in the home.
7. Aging.com
With a mission to help older adults age learn more about health and wellness, financial topics, and lifestyle, Aging.com is the ultimate online resource. To find information related to mental health, you can navigate to the Health tab or simply type "mental health" into the search bar.
On Aging.com, you can browse various posts ranging from How Diet Impacts Your Mental Health to What is the Cost of Mental Health Treatment.
Additionally, there are plenty of reviews of different mental health apps and online platforms like Cerebral and Talkspace. These reviews can help older adults if they ever need a second opinion on whether they should use these services or not.
8. HelpGuide.org
HelpGuide.org explores a selection of different topics ranging from children, family, and relationships to meditation and aging well. It is an online space that you can trust if you'd like mental health and wellness support, and for seniors, a good place to start is HelpGuide's Aging Well category.
This section is dedicated to older adults and how they can remain healthy and happy during their aging journey. The resources cover things like aging issues, family caregiving, and end-of-life.
Alternatively, seniors can make use of the Mental Health tab, which offers mental health resources and information that is not specific to age. This tab features topics like grief and loss, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and more.
9. HealthInAging.org
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health—that's why a website like HealthInAging is so helpful. The site is an excellent resource for seniors who are merely looking for a blog about mental health topics or who want to find nearby healthcare professionals.
Moreover, you can join the mailing list or show some support by making a donation to the Health in Aging Foundation. Additionally, the HealthInAging website offers much more when it comes to mental health, from tools and tips to information about common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
Mental Health Is Important in All Stages of Life
It is common for just about everyone to deal with mental health issues—even older adults. But the truth is that the importance of senior health often goes unnoticed.
The good news is that there are several excellent mental health websites available for older adults that offer anything from online resources and information to support, guidance, and advice.