The World Health Organization Defines Health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." For seniors especially, having access to mental healthcare and emotional support is critical.

The Suicide Rate of Seniors ages 65 and over is a three year rolling rate per 100,000 population of deaths from all types of suicide. This data is reported by the Florida Department of Health. The rate of suicide is indication of untreated mental illness, and is therefore representative of a lack of access to mental healthcare or emotional support. 13% of seniors (65+) in Sarasota County have been told that they have a depressive disorder. there has been a decrease in the percentage of seniors in Sarasota County who report having good mental health, from 97.1% in 2007 to 93.2% in 2013 (4% decrease in 6 years). According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (2014), 6.4% of seniors in Sarasota County live in areas that are defined as having medically under-served populations.