S.I.L.V.E.R. Ask Me Anything

SILVER Ask Me Anything

You're invited to a discussion with an expert about an interesting topic related to "Supporting Individuals to Live as Vibrant Elders in Recovery" or S.I.L.V.E.R. This free event is not a presentation, but rather an opportunity for you to have an interactive question & answer session.

Episodes

  1. 12/10/2025

    Developing an Older Adult Peer Support Workforce - Knowledge Speaks but Wisdom Listens

    You're invited to a discussion with an expert about an interesting topic related to "Supporting Individuals to Live as Vibrant Elders in Recovery" or S.I.L.V.E.R. This free event is not a presentation, but rather an opportunity for you to have an interactive question & answer session. “Developing an Older Adult Peer Support Workforce - Knowledge Speaks but Wisdom Listens” An overview of older adult peer support, highlighting the vital role of lived experience in promoting recovery throughout the lifespan. Guest Speakers: Robert Walker and Cassie Cramer Robert Walker, MS, CPS, COAPS serves with the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health’s Office of Recovery and Empowerment, where he advances peer support for older adults, the Deaf community, and the statewide peer workforce. He helped develop the Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (COAPS) initiative in Massachusetts and nationally and has led programs such as Buried in Treasures and WRAP for Older Adults. Rob co-chairs the Older Adult Behavioral Health Collaborative and serves on national advisory boards focused on aging, behavioral health, and families. Cassie Cramer, MSW, CPS oversees the Older Adult Behavioral Health Network and the MA Hoarding Resource Network at the Massachusetts Association for Mental Health. With nearly 20 years of experience supporting at-risk older adults, she also serves as a clinician on one of the State’s first Behavioral Health for Aging Populations teams. A Certified Peer Specialist, Cassie is an advocate for statewide behavioral health, peer, and wellness supports that help older adults live in the community of their choice.

    59 min
  2. 03/03/2025

    Episode 3_"Promoting Health Access and Vibrant Aging for Older Adults with a Serious Mental Illness" with Guest Expert, Pierluigi Mancini PhD

    You’re invited to this discussion with an expert about this interesting topic related to “Supporting Individuals to Live as Vibrant Elders in Recovery” or S.I.L.V.E.R. This free event is not a presentation, but rather an opportunity for you to have an interactive questions & answer session. 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. 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.

    1 hr
  3. 03/28/2024

    Episode 1: Forging a Resilient Alliance to Promote Connectedness Among Older Adults with a Psychiatric Disability with guest experts Dr. Laura Leone, Lyn Legere & Karen Gross

    S.I.L.V.E.R.* Ask Me Anything About Forging a Resilient Alliance to Promote Connectedness Among Older Adults with a Psychiatric Disability with guest experts Dr. Laura Leone, Lyn Legere, and Karen Gross! You're invited to a discussion with an expert about an interesting topic related to "Supporting Individuals to Live as Vibrant Elders in Recovery" or S.I.L.V.E.R. This free event is not a presentation, but rather an opportunity for you to have an interactive question & answer session. Laura Leone, DSW, MSSW, LMSW is a consultant for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. She has worked in the behavioral and integrated health field providing organizational leadership and direct services across the lifespan, including for older adults. Having published, trained, and consulted nationally, Dr. Leone has extensive subject matter expertise in health and wellness, including in Aging with Mental Health challenges. Lyn Legere has lived a life in many chapters, including living as a "mental patient" and building a life in recovery. Now, at 70, she is in a new chapter, navigating life that, in part, includes consequences of the past and recovery tools to thrive. Karen Gross has been an advocate and caregiver for an older sibling who experiences severe mental health challenges. Now that her sibling is 72, she wants more help for his care but is very weary of governmental services that might diminish the quality of his life in exchange for what a system deems mandatory. The content of this presentation was funded by the National Institute on Disabilitv. Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR), Grant #90DPEM0004. NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Communitv Living (ACL). ACL in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This content does not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR. ACL, or HHS & you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. *Supporting Individuals to Live as Vibrant Elders in Recovery

    1h 1m

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You're invited to a discussion with an expert about an interesting topic related to "Supporting Individuals to Live as Vibrant Elders in Recovery" or S.I.L.V.E.R. This free event is not a presentation, but rather an opportunity for you to have an interactive question & answer session.