Age UK and NHS partner up to encourage over 65s to talk about mental health

Age UK has partnered up with NHS England to encourage Britain’s older people to lose the 'stiff upper lip' attitude and seek help when it comes to their mental health.

The campaign, announced this week, is calling on older people to access treatment for mental health conditions after a new survey shows the majority of elderly do not.

Two-thirds of over-65s in the UK have experienced depression and anxiety

A survey by Age UK found just one in seven over 65’s said they would put their mental health before their physical health.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK director said: “In recent years there’s been nothing short of a cultural revolution in our willingness to be open about mental ill health, which is an essential pre-condition to people getting help, but it’s one that may well have left many older people behind.

“They grew up in an era when there was a real stigma associated with mental illness, so for many, these attitudes are deeply engrained and still driving their behaviour today.”

Depression is the most common mental health problem among older adults, affecting 22 per cent of men and 28 per cent of women aged 65 and over.

Rates of depression among adults of all ages are 19 per cent. And the older patients were only one third more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant.

'Depression shouldn't be seen as a normal part of ageing'

Alistair Burns, national clinical director for dementia and older people's mental health at NHS England and NHS Improvement said: "Older people sometimes feel they have to have a 'stiff upper lip' towards health, but we all have our own battles to fight and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, so anyone out there who is feeling down and needs help, can and should get it from the NHS.

"Depression shouldn't be seen as a normal part of ageing and we need to challenge the assumption that older people should just put up with it, as evidence shows it can be treated."

Older people with depression and anxiety usually experience more physical symptoms – such as tiredness, weight loss and problems sleeping, which is why treating mental illness is as important in older people as treating physical illness – and it can be treated just as successfully.

The campaign also wants to encourage GPs to look out for symptoms of mental ill-health among the older generations and make them aware of NHS support services available.

As part of this, Age UK and NHS are calling on health care professionals/GPs to:

• Start the conversation about depression and anxiety with the older people you see

• Think twice before offering medication to treat depression and anxiety in older people as a first-line treatment option

• And, refer more older people to NHS psychological therapy services without age restrictions

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