Mental Health Resources for Older Adults
If you or a loved one have Medicare, it can pay for both mental health and substance use disorder services. Medicare covers both outpatient and inpatient treatment and prescription drugs to support your mental health needs. It also covers treatment for alcoholism and substance use disorders in outpatient and inpatient settings. This is true whether you are enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare (i.e., Original Medicare) or a Medicare Advantage health plan. In California, there are other behavioral health resources that may be available to you depending on your needs. More information about mental health resources is available from Medicare.
Download the factsheet for providers on behavioral health services in Medicare. What are Mental Health Services?
Mental health services include services and programs that help to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, which may include depression and anxiety, as well as serious mental illness. These services can help you by providing the supports necessary to maintain your mental health. Medicare helps to cover both outpatient and inpatient mental health care, in addition to prescription drugs you may need to treat a mental health condition.
How can Mental Health Services Help Me?
Mental health is an important part of your overall health, and impacts how you feel, think, and behave. If you may be living with a mental health concern, know that you’re not alone: approximately 1 in 5 adults will experience some type of mental illness each year, and many adults have co-occurring substance use disorder and mental illness. Mental health services can help you to overcome disorders by providing a safe space to discuss issues, assisting in creating a support network for you, and improving overall quality of life.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline. For an immediate medical crisis, please call 911.
If you have Medicare, mental health and substance use disorder services are available to you. To access Medicare-covered services, speak to your primary care provider or mental health provider, or use the Provider Compare tool on the
Medicare website to find a provider who accepts Medicare. Contact your Medicare Advantage plan if you need help finding a provider or accessing care.
Friendship Line: The Friendship Line is both a crisis intervention center and a “warm” line to provide emotional support, well-being check-ins, and other support for older adults. Call toll-free 888.670.1360 or visit the
Institute on Aging website.
For additional support and resources, or to speak with a peer counselor, CalHOPE is available to help you. Live chat with a representative on the CalHOPE website or call 833-317-4673.
