Without the right support, their symptoms can go unnoticed, leading to unnecessary suffering and preventable hospital visits.
We need your help to address this urgent gap in care.
It is critical to treat a person’s physical and mental health together – not just their physical health.
Right now, Silverchain aged care workers do everything they can to support clients, but they often aren’t formally trained to identify and respond to mental health conditions like OCD, anxiety or depression. With your help, we can change this.
There is a national shortage of mental health support for older Australians, and we cannot wait for a change in government policy. Vulnerable Australians need your support now.
Your donation can fund vital research and training to equip Silverchain care teams with the tools they need to recognise and respond to mental health challenges early.
Together, we can provide better care for older Australians, giving them the dignity, confidence, and support they deserve.
Joan’s story: Why mental health care must be part of aged care
At 78, Joan had always been independent. But when she lost her husband, everything changed. She became isolated, anxious, and withdrawn. Without a mental health assessment as part of her standard aged care plan, her condition worsened.
Lesley, her Silverchain support worker, was the first to notice something was wrong. When Joan suffered a panic attack and ended up in the hospital, it became clear to Lesley that her mental health had been overlooked.
Will you send a donation to help improve mental health care for people like Joan?
Your gift supports a stronger aged care system
Early intervention
Your gift can help older Australians like Joan receive mental health support before their condition worsens, improving their overall health and wellbeing.
New training
Your gift can help us develop essential mental health training to give aged care workers the skills and confidence to better care for their clients.
Stronger aged care
Your gift can help Silverchain lead the way in developing evidence based solutions that improve aged care services across Australia.