By Catherine Thurston, LCSW Published in Behavioral Health News (August 2026) Policy-making can solve systemic problems, but we can only achieve true behavioral healthcare reform with adequate financial resources. Advocating for public support for mental healthcare takes time, persistence, and a group effort. One of the most successful examples of collaboration in New York […]
Aging and Mental Health: Meeting the Needs of Older Adults Roundtable Discussion August 5, 2026 10:00-12:00 Hosted by: Catherine Thurston, LCSW, CEO of SPOP Council Member Susan Zhuang, Chair, Committee on Aging Council Member Tiffany Cabán, Chair, Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use Thank you to all who attended and contributed to a […]
The following is an opinion article by Crystal Hudson, who represents parts of Brooklyn in the City Council, and Catherine Thurston, a licensed clinical social worker and SPOP’s CEO. It was first published in the NY Daily News, April 1, 2026 In just four years, New York City will have more residents over 60 years […]
I’m drinking more than I used to. I have mixed feelings about this, and I’m not sure what to do. First things first. Congratulate yourself on admitting your ambivalence. We often work so hard to quell internal discomfort or our own instincts to defend against what other people tell us to do that we lose […]
It can be difficult to recognize and treat substance misuse in an older population. Read about how therapy changed the life of an 87-year-old.
There is nothing “generic” about aging. At SPOP we older adults of all ages work toward goals and reshape their lives
The majority of clients in our behavioral health clinic experience chronic illness and pain. Read about how our clinicians address this challenge using techniques to reduce the impact of pain and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress.
I’ve always had trouble sleeping, but lately, my insomnia has gotten worse. What can I do? It is commonly thought that people need reduced sleep as they age. While sleep patterns can change throughout one’s lifetime, older adults need to tune into their individual body’s needs to determine how much sleep they need each night. […]
I have a medical condition that causes chronic pain. I don’t want to ask my doctor for medication, but I’m not sure how to feel better. Any advice? Chronic pain is one of the most challenging conditions to live with, and even harder to live with well. There can be a frustrating cycle of pain, […]
SPOP CEO Catherine Thurston recently shared her thoughts about how Peer Advocates have changed the way that we practice behavioral healthcare at Service Program for Older People (SPOP) – and have changed the lives of the older adults we treat.