Council on Aging Celebrates Older Americans Month and Mental Health Awareness Month
4/30/2025 • 6 weeks ago
Join the Cambridge Council on Aging (COA) in celebrating Older Americans Month this May! The annual observance is led by the federal Administration for Communal Living to recognize older adults’ contributions to society — something we celebrate year-round at COA!
This month, we have many events and programs open to Cambridge residents ages 60 and older that further our mission to support the health and independence of older adults in Cambridge. View our newsletter for a full schedule of this month’s programs and events.
May is also Mental Health Awareness Month. COA supports the mental health of older adults by offering exercise and enrichment classes, support and social groups, and short-term case management. We are excited to offer additional events this spring that will shine a light on destigmatizing mental health, how we can identify different mental health conditions, and resources for older adults:
Exploring Mental Health and Searching for Effective Support in our Older Adult Community (presented by True Story Theater)
- Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
- Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave.
Join us for a series of performances acting out a variety of mental health situations. Through actors from True Story Theater, the audience will learn how to best support older adults experiencing mental health situations such as anxiety, depression, or other mental health struggles.
Registration is not required. All are welcome: older adults, caregivers, and younger family and friends.
Book Discussion of You Are Not Alone by Ken Duckworth, MD.
- Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
- Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave.
Join us for a discussion of You Are Not Alone: The NAMI Guide to Navigating Mental Health by Ken Duckworth, MD. This book is invaluable in helping all of us identify an illness that impacts all of society. The collective stories convey hope and practicable ways of navigating mental health. The discussion will be facilitated by Susan Pacheco, Executive Director of COA, and Maryellen McEleney, Information & Referral Specialist/SHINE Counselor. Limited copies of the book are available to borrow.