And while there has been sustained focus on mental health of younger people “older people’s mental health is too often an afterthought in public policy and research”, they added.
Older people are less likely to seek mental health support due to ageism and stigma, according to a new report.
“If we wish to empower older people to take up mental health services and support, we will need to tackle ageist attitudes among clinicians and policymakers,” the report states.
Patrick Swain, research and development manager at ILC and the report’s co-author, said: “As increased longevity continues to reshape our societies and demographics, mental ill health poses a huge barrier to realising the opportunities of longer lives.
“We can improve mental health outcomes for older people by providing person-centred care in appropriate settings, without fear of ageism or discrimination.”.
