Mental health is an essential aspect of your overall health and well-being. Mental health has gained more acceptance over the years, but as we get older, mental health is often overlooked. It often gets overlooked due to ageism, stigmas, communication barriers, and wrongful attributions to cognitive decline. Mental health is important for all individuals, no matter their age. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as eating right and exercising. It’s helpful to take a deeper look at why mental health issues are overlooked to ensure people receive the care they need.
Mental health issues often get overlooked because symptoms are wrongfully attributed to cognitive decline in older people. Family and caregivers attribute symptoms like mood swings, lack of energy, trouble remembering things, or isolation as symptoms of getting older. These symptoms could be mental health issues and should not be ignored. Discuss these symptoms with a doctor to see if they could be mental health-related to help them receive care if needed.
Another reason mental health symptoms are overlooked is due to stigmas. Many older individuals lived in a time that didn’t acknowledge mental health. Feelings and mental health were not talked about or even taken seriously. This means mental health may be a touchy subject, and they may deny symptoms to avoid talking about an uncomfortable topic. This makes it even more important for caretakers and family members to be mindful when discussing mental health topics with their loved ones.
Ageism is another reason that mental health may be overlooked in older individuals. Many people assume that older individuals want to be alone or don’t want to do the things they used to do because they are getting older. These misconceptions can be harmful. When we dismiss mental health symptoms because someone is older, we risk poor health outcomes. The harmful stereotypes and assumptions associated with ageism can affect whether a person receives the care they need.
Lastly, communication barriers contribute to mental health issues being overlooked in older people. These barriers may exist due to being isolated and not having access to someone who can help them get care. Sometimes, communication barriers come from a lack of healthcare providers or caregivers being trained on proper ways to screen for mental health issues in older individuals. Some people may not know how to talk about their mental health. These communication barriers prevent people from accessing the mental health care they need.
Mental health issues can be overlooked for many reasons. Mental health has been seen as a weakness and a stigma for many years, creating gaps in treatment access, education, and awareness. There is a more significant gap for older individuals, but understanding the reasons mental health is overlooked can help bring to light the importance of acceptance, education, and awareness. Our overall health and well-being is dependent on our mental health and should be taken seriously.
Mental Health Resources
• 988 Lifeline—If you are in a mental health crisis, dial 988 to receive immediate support.
• SAMHSA Mental Health—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has a webpage with helpful information and resources.
• FindTreatment.gov—This website provides a search option to find local mental health providers. Some providers accept Medicare and Medicaid.
• National Council on Aging— Mental Health Resources & Support—National Council on Aging provides general mental health information.
• National Institute of Mental Health—Provides general information and resources on mental health.
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