A recent study conducted by the Centre for Mental Health, commissioned by Age UK, sheds light on the pervasive ageism prevalent in mental health care, severely limiting the support available to the elderly. The report, issued on Tuesday, highlights the urgent need to address discriminatory assumptions and expectations surrounding mental health in later life, emphasizing that the negative impact is not confined to the individual but extends to families, communities, and public services.
Based on a thorough review of literature published in the past five years, the report underscores a concerning trend of “pervasive sense of pessimism and inevitability that normalizes poor mental health” among older individuals. The authors emphasize that older people often remain invisible in mental health care services and policymaking, with insufficient research and policy development dedicated to their needs.
Andy Bell, Chief Executive at the Centre for Mental Health, draws attention to the deeply entrenched and systemic nature of ageism, which he argues causes older generations to miss out on a mentally healthier later life. Bell stresses the absence of later life from national mental health plans, leading to inadequate investment in supporting older people’s mental health and resulting in a discriminatory situation where effective help is lacking.
Paul Farmer, Chief Executive at Age UK, challenges the perception that poor mental health in later life is an inevitable aspect of aging. He points out a paradox in mental health support for older people, where conditions are either under-recognized, or low mood and depression are dismissively attributed to age. Farmer underscores the urgent need for research funders to prioritize projects focusing on mental health in later life, integrated care boards to review mental health support provisions for older adults, and staff to receive training to address ageist attitudes.
The report calls for a comprehensive approach, urging NHS England to review the effectiveness of the 2019 Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults. It emphasizes the necessity for any new planning to ensure provision for mental health care in later life, ultimately striving to dismantle the deeply ingrained ageism that hampers mental health care for the elderly.
