Mental Health and Aging

Mental Health and Aging

Mental Health and Aging

Tuesday October 10, 2023, is World Mental Health Day. Mental health disorders impact everyone from children to older adults. Approximately 15% of adults 60+ have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Depression and anxiety are the most common diagnoses and can present in many ways. It is often under-diagnosed and even when diagnosed, often under-treated in the primary care settings especially when experienced by older adults. Older people have many life stressors including the loss of loved ones, a drop in socioeconomic status with retirement, and decline in physical and/or cognitive abilities.  All these changes can increase isolation and loneliness.