By Lauren Carr
Strategic Manager, Policy & Government Affairs
On May 15, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, EmblemHealth hosted an educational webinar on loneliness and social isolation, with a focus on older adults. It provided information on how to recognize feelings of loneliness, how to foster mental well-being, how to support loved ones, and actionable tips that can be implemented right away.
To address this timely and critical issue, we were honored to receive support from New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson, Chair of the Committee of Aging:
“Thank you to EmblemHealth for hosting today’s webinar on loneliness and social isolation, including its impact on older adults. Seniors are the jewels of our communities, and we would not be here today without their sacrifices and contributions. That’s why it’s critical that we support their physical and mental health, so that they can age with dignity,” said Speaker Adams. “Loneliness and isolation impact people of all ages and backgrounds … As we continue to observe Mental Health Awareness Month this May, it remains vital for all of us to work together to address the loneliness and social isolation that impacts our mental health.”
“I want to commend EmblemHealth for hosting this very important webinar on the social isolation and loneliness that so many of our older adults, our beloved and cherished older community members, face. Especially coming out of the pandemic that everyone has experienced,” said Council Member Hudson. “If you haven’t been to one of their Neighborhood Care centers yet, you should definitely think about visiting. There are so many amazing programs, services, and resources available to folks. I’ve done chair yoga and dancing and all sorts of fun activities at the Neighborhood Care center in my district on Eastern Parkway and Nostrand Avenue. I hope to see you there soon.”
Terri Rhymes-Lowery, Regional Manager, Neighborhood Care, guided the discussion with expert panelists: Kathleen Morse, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, ACPNY; and Ashley Giblin, Lead Health Coach, WellSpark.
This discussion was also livestreamed at our Flushing, Chinatown, Crown Heights, and East New York Neighborhood Care sites, where community members joined us in person, and learned more about our ongoing support and services. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Flushing site also hosted an in-person mental health awareness discussion in Mandarin with a specialist from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.