The stigma attached to mental illness still poses a serious obstacle to getting the care that one needs, since it breeds mistrust of mental health therapies and discourages those in need of them from getting them. In addition to being active members of their families and communities, many older folks also volunteer and work in society. Although the majority are in good health, many are susceptible to mental health issues like anxiety and despair. Many may also have additional health issues that need long-term care, such as dementia, diminished mobility, chronic pain, frailty, or other conditions. People are more prone to have multiple ailments at once as they get older. Mental health stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking care and achieving well-being, particularly among older adults. Despite advancements in mental health awareness and treatment, stigma continues to affect how older individuals perceive and address their mental health challenges. This article explores the nature of mental health stigma among older adults, its impact on their lives and strategies to combat this pervasive issue.

What is Mental Health Stigma?

The term “Mental Health Stigma” describes the unfavorable attitudes, convictions and actions aimed at those who have mental health issues. Various manifestations of this stigma include internalized shame, discrimination and social isolation. Stigma in older adults frequently stems from deeply ingrained societal, cultural, and generational perspectives on mental health.

An Overview:

Approximately 14% of persons 60 years of age and older suffer from a mental illness. These illnesses are responsible for 10.6% of all disabilities among older individuals, according to the Global Health Estimates (GHE) 2019. Depression and anxiety are the two mental health issues that older individuals experience most frequently. Globally, adults 60 years of age or older account for about 25% of suicide deaths (27.2%), according to GHE 2019. The stigma associated with mental health disorders might discourage people from seeking treatment, which contributes to the under-diagnosis and under-treatment of these problems among the elderly population.

The ability of an elderly person to perform fundamental daily tasks can be significantly impacted by mental health issues, which can lower their autonomy, independence, and quality of life. To begin mitigating these adverse effects, the first thing to do is to diagnose. Unfortunately, many elderly individuals struggle on without the correct care or without any aid at all since mental health issues are too frequently misdiagnosed and left untreated.

Historical and Cultural Perspectives:

Mental health problems have always been stigmatized and misunderstood. Rather from being viewed as a medical issue, mental illness was perceived in many cultures as a personal failing or a supernatural retribution. This historical background has played a role in the ongoing stigma, especially for older generations who were raised in homes where mental health issues were taboo subjects.

  • Generational Attitudes: It’s possible that older folks were raised at a time when mental health problems were stigmatized or not well understood. This generational divide may have an impact on their readiness to admit and seek treatment for mental health issues.
  • Cultural Norms: Attitudes toward mental health are greatly influenced by cultural norms. Some cultural perspectives view mental health concerns as personal or shameful, which makes people reluctant to get treatment and talk about mental health openly.

Impact of Stigma on Older Adults:

The stigma surrounding mental health can have profound effects on older adults, influencing various aspects of their lives:

  1. Obstacles to Seek Help: The stigma associated with getting aid for older persons may keep them from doing so. People may be discouraged from seeking help because of fear of ridicule, embarrassment, or not being taken seriously. This can worsen mental health issues and lower quality of life.
  • Social Isolation: Older individuals who experience stigma may distance themselves from social interactions and connections in an effort to avoid being judged. Depression and feelings of loneliness may worsen as a result of this isolation.
  • Impact on Care: Stigma has an impact on how senior citizens communicate with medical professionals. For fear of stigma, they might not talk to their doctors about mental health difficulties or they could be unwilling to adhere to treatment recommendations.
  • Self-Stigma: Internalized stigma can cause older people to have a negative self-perception that perpetuates feelings of worthlessness and shame. As a result, they may be less likely to actively manage their mental health and seek professional assistance.

What are the Risk Factors for Mental Health Stigma among Older Adults?

1. Attitudes Across Generations and History:

  • Historical Perspectives: During the periods when many older people were growing up, mental health problems were stigmatized and not well understood. The ingrained notion that mental illness is a personal failing, or a sign of weakness is strengthened by this historical background. It may be difficult for elderly people with such attitudes to alter their opinions or ask for assistance.
  • Beliefs across Generations: How older people view and handle mental health concerns might be influenced by their generation’s attitudes toward mental health. It’s possible that earlier generations were trained not to publicly discuss mental health issues, which resulted in internalized shame and a reluctance to seek help.

2. Social and Cultural Norms:

  • Cultural Stigma: Views of mental health are greatly influenced by cultural norms and beliefs. Mental illness is considered a taboo topic or a cause of shame in some cultures. These societal stigmas may deter senior citizens from asking for assistance or having candid conversations about their mental health problems.
  • Social Expectations: Stigma related to aging may arise from societal expectations. It is expected of older folks in many cultures to keep their cool and not bother others with their personal issues. This expectation has the potential to increase guilt and deter people from getting mental health treatment.

3. Internal and Personal Elements:

  • Self-Stigma:  Shame, guilt, or self-blame are common emotions among older persons who internalize societal stigma. Self-stigma can make people reluctant to ask for assistance and make mental health problems worse.
  • Fear of Judgment: Older persons may be reluctant to talk about or seek assistance for mental health issues due to a concern of being misinterpreted or judged by friends, family, or medical professionals. This dread may have its origins in previous instances of discrimination or stigma.

4. Social Isolation:

  • Loneliness: Stigma associated with mental health disorders can be intensified by social isolation and loneliness. Due to a lack of social support or a concern about being a burden, older persons who are alone may feel less supported and be less willing to ask for assistance.
  • Lack of Support: Due to a lack of help or encouragement from others, older people with little social support networks may find it difficult to deal with mental health concerns. To overcome stigma and obtain mental health care, social support is essential.

What are the Factors Contributing to Stigma among Older Adults?

Several factors contribute to the persistence of mental health stigma among older adults:

  1. Lack of Education and Awareness: Misconceptions and stigma can be reinforced by a lack of understanding of mental health conditions and therapies. Elderly people and their families could not fully comprehend the nature of mental health disorders or the potential therapies if they are not properly educated.
  2. Media Representation: Stereotypes and negative impressions are frequently reinforced when mental illness is portrayed in the media. These representations may have an impact on older people, changing their perspectives on mental health concerns and getting treatment.
  3. Challenges by Healthcare System: The challenges facing the healthcare system include the possibility that age-appropriate mental health services are not always provided and that general medical care for older adults may not prioritize mental health. These service gaps may lead to the belief that mental health is not a priority for older populations.

How to Address and Overcome Stigma?

Addressing mental health stigma among older adults requires a multi-faceted approach involving education, policy changes and community support:

  1. Encouraging Mental Health Literacy: It is essential to raise older individuals’ and their families’ knowledge and comprehension of mental health issues. The main goals of educational materials and initiatives should be dispelling myths and highlighting the advantages of asking for assistance.
  2. Promoting Open Dialogue: Creating forums for candid talks about mental health can assist in normalizing these exchanges and lessening the stigma associated with them. Public campaigns, community forums and support groups can all be useful tools for promoting conversation and experience sharing.
  3. Educating Healthcare Professionals: To better understand and meet the mental health requirements of senior citizens, healthcare professionals should undergo education. By providing compassionate treatment and having honest conversations with patients about mental health, providers can lessen stigma.
  4. Enhancing Access to Services: Improving access to age-appropriate mental health services is essential. This includes integrating mental health care into primary care settings, increasing the availability of geriatric mental health specialists, and ensuring that services are accessible and affordable.
  5. Supportive Caregivers: Caregivers play a crucial role in the mental health of older adults. Providing support and education to caregivers can help them recognize and address mental health issues in those they care for and reduce stigma within families.
  6. Leveraging Technology: Technology, such as online support groups, can help older adults’ access mental health resources and connect with others. These tools can reduce barriers to care and offer alternative ways to seek support.

Examples & Case Studies:

  • Community Initiatives: Several community-based programs have effectively removed the stigma associated with mental illness in older persons. Some communities have undertaken efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues, with a particular focus on older adults. This has resulted in a decrease in stigma and an increase in understanding.
  • Effective Programs: Research has indicated that integrating social engagement activities with mental health education can effectively lower stigma and enhance mental health outcomes. Workshops, peer support groups and community events are frequently a part of these programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, all societies have a stake in promoting healthy aging in all its manifestations. To avoid pain and incapacity, it is critical to identify, diagnose, and treat mental health illnesses that are frequent in older adults as soon as possible. To help older persons with mental illnesses reach and sustain the optimum level of functioning and wellbeing, caregiving requires sensitivity as well as observational, relational, and interpersonal abilities. Everywhere they work, those who provide care for the elderly should always be supported and shielded from harm. In primary care, all these approaches can be implemented effectively.

SOURCES

National Library of Medicine 2011 – Mental Health Treatment Seeking Among Older Adults with Depression

World Health Organization (WHO) 2023 – Mental Health of Older Adults

Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation 2023 – Global Health Data Exchange

BMC Geriatrics 2023 – Barriers and facilitators of older adults for professional mental health help-seeking

HISTORY

Current Version
September 10, 2024

Written By:
BARIRA MEHMOOD