Voices of Aging: Navigating Mental Health, Care, and Connection
Video Series
As we age, maintaining mental health and well-being can become increasingly challenging. Older adults may face issues like memory loss, loneliness, and difficulty navigating healthcare systems that can feel overwhelming or inaccessible. Cultural differences, language barriers, and discrimination can make it even harder to get the support they need.
In this video series, you'll meet Mei, Gung Gung, Leszek and Rosemary. Each faces unique challenges as they navigate the complexities of aging and mental health or help their loved ones do the same. Though their stories are fictionalized, they shine a light on the struggles that many people encounter as they age.
Watch as these characters find hope, resilience, connection, and health care support when they need it most.
Whether you’re an older adult or a caregiver, this series offers valuable insights to help you understand mental health and well-being in later life
Mei's Story | Gung Gung's Story | Leszek's Story | Rosemary's Story
Mei's Story: Social and Behavioural Approaches to Promote Mental Well-Being in Older Adults
Discover the heartfelt story of 11-year-old Mei and the neighbours in her vibrant apartment building. This video explores how simple acts of kindness and community connection can impact the lives of older adults like Mr. Krol, who, after losing a close friend, finds new hope when a kind neighbour reaches out.
This video highlights the importance of socializing for older adults. It offers insights into the mental well-being of older adults and is intended for older adults, families and caregivers.
Gung Gung's Story: Mild Cognitive Decline
Once an avid game show enthusiast, Mei's grandfather (Gung Gung) now struggles with memory loss, frustration, and anxiety—challenges faced by many older adults with mild cognitive impairment. With love, support, and appropriate health care, Gung Gung once again finds joy in the activities he once loved.
This video sheds light on the early signs of cognitive decline and offers hope for maintaining independence and well-being through timely intervention. Perfect for caregivers and families, as it provides practical insights on how to support a loved one through cognitive decline.
Leszek's Story: Access to Equitable Care for Older Adults
In this story, we follow Leszek, who has lost his Polish-speaking doctor and is now struggling to navigate the health care system and communicate in English with his new health care team. This video highlights the barriers that older adults, especially immigrants, may face when seeking equitable health care.
For caregivers and families, this video underscores the importance of language services, cultural sensitivity, and team-based care models that address both physical and mental health.
Rosemary's Story: The Impact of Stigma and Discrimination on Older Adult Mental Health
This heartfelt story highlights the impacts of stigma, ageism, and racial discrimination on older adults, while offering hope through compassionate care and community.
For caregivers, older adults, and families, this video provides important insights into the mental health challenges older adults can face, the critical need for support and understanding in health care settings, and the role of discrimination in creating barriers to equitable care.
About the Series
This series was developed by the Provincial System Support Program within the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), with support and consultation from staff and faculty at CAMH, the University of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Research Institute.
About the Provincial System Support Program
The Provincial System Support Program works with communities, service providers, and other partners across Ontario to move evidence to action and create sustainable, equitable, system-level change. With staff situated across the province, PSSP is on the ground, collaborating with partners to build a better system through our work in implementation, knowledge mobilization, evaluation, data management systems, health equity and lived-experience engagement.