The Centre For Ageing Better’s Media Officer, Stephen James attended the recent Age-Friendly Futures Summit in Manchester, bringing together around 250 leaders, policymakers, practitioners and researchers from the UK and around the globe.
In a new article, he looks at what he learnt about during one session at the summit which focussed on the experience of older people and mental health.
Mental health conditions are often under-recognised in older people, and this means that they can go untreated. Sometimes this due to the stigma surrounding poor mental health in older people, meaning that those most in need do not receive help.
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, adults over 65 do not have the same access to specialist mental health services as those under 65. Old age services have been excluded from investment and have seen reduced resources.
But in Greater Manchester work is taking place that is challenging the stigma – and the ageism – surrounding the mental health of older people.