Good mental health is a need for everyone in our society, regardless of age. The Mental Health and Aging is a series of classes for those working in the field of older adults who find themselves wanting to be more effective in their workplace.
COURSE CONTENT
Classes take an in-depth look at subject matter relating to grief, loss, depression, anger, anxiety, trauma and other mental health and emotional concerns. Practice sessions, work sheets, and discussions lead to a fuller understanding of the emotional well-being of older adults and ways to identify and manage mental health issues.
CERTIFICATION
Individuals will receive a certificate showing completion of each individual course(s) that can be used to show proof to employers or licensing agencies for continuing education.
LOCATION
1129 N Pennsylvania St, Denver CO 80203 (unless class size exceeds 12 people).
CLASS ENROLLMENT
Minimum enrollment is 10 individuals. Class size is limited to 25 individuals. Refund Policy:
TRAINER
Chris Speros, Director of Mental Health, Colorado Gerontological Society
COST
$90 for 2-hour classes; $180 for 4-hour classes. Cost includes registration, course materials, and snacks.
CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations must be received in writing five days prior to the session.
A 25% processing fee will be charged for all cancellations. Refunds will be made approximately thirty days after the training in the same payment method as the original registration.
Individuals who cancel less than one week prior to the start of the training will not be entitled to a refund.
REGISTER
Visit www.senioranswers.org. Click on the Learning Tab. Open Mental Health and Aging Series menu and follow the prompts.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Effective Communication
Learn how to use patience, respect, clear language, and active listening to create an a comfortable environment that addresses sensory impairments; uses clear, concise language; maintains eye contact, and allows ample time for responses.
August 8, 2025, 10 am – 12:00 pm Cost: $90/person
Leadership Skills with Your Team in Mind
Team leadership includes communication, consistency, delegation, confidence, knowledge. Learn about leadership styles and how they affect your team.
August 14, 2025, 10 am -12:00 pm Cost: $90/person
Healthy Relationships: Setting and Maintaining Boundaries
Establishing clear guidelines about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior to protect your well-being, ensure your needs are met, and foster respect within the relationship.
September 11, 2025 10 am – 12:00 pm Cost: $90/person
Behavioral Analysis: Situational or Chronic
Situational analysis focuses on understanding behavior in specific contexts or situations, while chronic analysis examines patterns of behavior that persist over time.
September 25, 2025 9 am – 1 pm Cost: $180/person
Self-Care and Resilience
By prioritizing physical and mental well-being, individuals can better cope with stress, challenges, and adversity, ultimately fostering a greater capacity for bouncing back from difficult experiences.
October 16, 2025 10 am – 12:00 pm Cost: $90/person
The Residue of Trauma
The lingering physical, emotional, and psychological effects that persist after a traumatic event can manifest in ongoing negative emotions, memory problems, and difficulty with relationships impacting well-being and daily live.
October 24, 2025 10 am – 12:00 pm Cost: $90/person
De-Escalation Techniques: Motivating Meaningful Change
Involves proactively identifying signs and escalating tensions. Learn how to intervene strategically to reduce the risk of harm and violence, to diffuse immediate anger, and create a safe space for dialogue and long-term positive behavior change.
November 13, 2025 9 am – 1 pm Cost: $180/person
Crises Management and Behavioral Interventions
Learn the use of supportive communication, clear directives, and establishing reasonable limits, as well as emphasizing the individual’s perspective, validating feelings, and providing a safe environment to de-escalate the crises and restore safety and promote well-being.
November 20, 2025 10 am – 12 pm Cost: $90/person
Anger Management
Use techniques and strategies to reduce emotional and physical arousal when experiencing anger by recognizing anger triggers, managing anger constructively, and developing healthy ways to express frustration.
December 5, 2025 10 am – 12 pm Cost: $90/person
Safety Planning and 988
Individuals who experience a mental health crises learn to use 988 for immediate, confidential support via call, text, or chat, while developing a personalized safety plan and strategies for managing suicidal thoughts.
January 16, 2026 10 am – 12 pm Cost: $90/person
The Power of Positivity
Positive thinking can lead to a lot of positive change in your life and can be good for both your physical and mental health.
January 23, 2026 10 am – 12 pm Cost: $90/person
Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
Self-harm, or self-injury is a wide range of things people do to themselves that appear to be harmful, but usually do not kill them. They are often a predictor of suicide.
February 27, 2026 10 am – 12 pm Cost: $90/person