Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Mental Illness in Older Adults

The general population often has limited knowledge and misconceptions regarding behavioral health disorders. This can lead to increased stigma surrounding behavioral health disorders as well as delayed treatment.

For many individuals with behavioral health disorders, delaying treatment may lead to an increase in symptom severity, an increase in risk factors for safety, and a lower general quality of life. Older adults experience unique biological and social risks for mental health and substance use conditions.

Through this training, participants will be able to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use conditions among older adults. Participants will be able to identify risk factors for behavioral health conditions across diverse populations of older adults.

This training is presented by Julie Blanco, LCSW, CRAADC and Mario Fennoy.

Julie has dedicated 33 years of her career to supporting individuals living with mental illness and substance use concerns, including 11 years as Integrated Treatment Program Manager (first at Community Alternatives, then at Places for People following the two organizations’ merger). Julie is certified as a Trainer for TREM, is Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) member, a Certified Trainer of CRA, among other licensure and certifications. Additionally, Julie has been an adjunct professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis since Spring 2020.

Mario holds a Master Degree in Criminal Justice and Administration, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and is pursuing a Masters of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lindenwood University of St. Charles, MO.

Mario served 21 years in Law Enforcement in various positions which included being a member of The Greater Saint Louis Major Case Squad, The Major Crimes Taskforce, Criminal Analyst, Arson Investigator, Homicide and Major Crime Detective, Shift Commander and Sex Offender Crime Unit Supervisor.

Upon leaving Law Enforcement he worked at Center State Counseling as a Mental Health Clinician and prior to joining Illume, Mario was the General Director of the Transitional Center Inc. which is a Therapeutic Inpatient Treatment Center in Illinois for at risk male youth.

As Illumes Mental Health Awareness Trainer he is able to use his extensive trainings and life experiences to help raise awareness of Mental Health challenges and disorders.

If you have any questions, please contact Illume Coordinator, Rashma James, at [email protected]

Host or Publisher Illume: The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence