Aging with dignity and purpose is a universal aspiration, but for older adults with serious mental illnesses (SMI), systemic barriers often stand in the way of thriving. This engaging session explores the unique intersection of aging, mental health, and recovery, shining a spotlight on the top five ways we can advance health access and inclusivity to support individuals in becoming vibrant elders.
From addressing social isolation to advocating for fair access to holistic healthcare, this session will inspire fresh perspectives and actionable solutions. You'll learn how recovery can evolve into purposeful aging, fostering a sense of community, lifelong learning, and empowerment. We’ll also discuss the critical role of policy advocacy in creating systems that meet the diverse needs of older adults with SMI.
Dr. Pierluigi Mancini is a national and international leader in mental health, addiction, and health equity. A sought-after speaker and consultant, he specializes in cultural and linguistic responsiveness, immigrant behavioral health, and eliminating health disparities by achieving health equity. His book, …And Healthcare for All: How to Become a High-Performing, Equity-Centric Organization, is heralded as a practical guide for healthcare leaders and is available on Amazon.
Dr. Mancini has worked at local, state, and federal levels and consulted internationally in countries such as Mexico, Italy, Egypt, Argentina, and Kuwait. His award-winning documentaries and public service announcements addressing Latino mental health and substance use have won six EMMY® awards. Recognized with numerous honors, including the 2024 William F. "Bill" Callahan Leadership Award from NAADAC, he chairs Mental Health America’s National Board and serves on other influential boards, championing health equity and social justice.
Whether you’re a healthcare provider, policymaker, or advocate, you’ll leave with practical insights and creative ideas to bring back to your community. Join us for a high-energy conversation that mixes humor, heart, and hope, as we reimagine what it means to age vibrantly in recovery. Together, we’ll explore how to turn challenges into opportunities and create a future where everyone can thrive.
S.I.L.V.E.R. AMAs are not presentations, but rather hour-long interactive question & answer webinars with an expert in aging with a psychiatric disability. Regardless of whether you are a person living with a mental health condition, a family member, an administrator of a service, a provider, a researcher — people from anywhere get answers to their questions.
AMA-S webinars are also available as podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube Music
This event was supported by funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this project do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
