Council on Aging Programs
The Council on Aging holds monthly educational programs on the second Thursday of each month (except in July and August) at the O’Connor Senior Center (611 Winona St.) at 2:30 pm. All programs are free and open to the public.
Suicide Awareness and Prevention – September 12th, 2024 at 2:30 P.M.
with Scott Payne, Outreach and Support Manager with Contact Care Line
Discussion will focus on Suicide Prevention Month, including risk signs for seniors and an introduction to resources that can offer support. Scott will talk about what happens in suicide crisis and how active listening can encourage someone to stay safe now and seek help for the future. Participants will learn about Contact Care Line and how we support our communities through training and support services.
Scott is the Manager for Outreach and Support for Contact Care Line. He does presentations on suicide prevention and support for those impacted by suicide loss. He attended The University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt Divinity School. He lives in Knoxville with Betsy, Allison, and a small pack of dogs.
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B4 Stage 4 – October 10th, 2024, at 2:30 P.M.
with Ben Harrington & Sara O’Brien
Presenters will discuss mental health consequences of Covid-19 and the need to intervene early before stage 4 mental illness; best ways to identify if you or another needs help & how to communicate concerns; and how conditions frequently co-occur with others and impact health & wellbeing.
Ben Harrington is the CEO of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee where he has been the CEO for 30 years. The agency has grown dramatically to provide early intervention and client services. The newest program is the Co-Occurring Disorders Outreach Program. Sara O’Brien is the Co-Occurring Disorders Outreach Program Coordinator.
Interested in joining the Council on Aging? Call us at 865-524-2786 or email knoxooa@knoxseniors.org.