Study: Over-50s not disclosing mental health concerns to GPs

PEOPLE over the age of 50 are less likely to disclose mental health concerns to their GP, and stigma was the main reason for them not attending mental health services, research has found.

Grow Young, a study of older people carried out by Shine, a charity for those affected by mental illness, is the first of its kind to look at why older people don’t talk about psychological distress.

Reasons included attitudes towards medication, unfavourable views of healthcare professionals and services, stigma, and unawareness of available services.

Many participants said that doctors and psychiatrists only prescribe medication and “want to push pills too quickly”. Participants conveyed that general practitioners may, at times, fail to recognise symptoms of psychological distress.

This was seen to be due to lack of training and time. There was a feeling of mistrust and dislike of psychiatrists among some of the interviewees.

The research also found that people felt mental health problems were seen as a weakness in society.

The study recommended that awareness campaigns should be implemented to highlight issues related to adults aged 50 and to create awareness of available support structures and modes of treatment. Improving this age group’s mental health literacy would increase individuals’ ability to recognise symptoms of psychological distress, the report said.

Those questioned said simply being occupied was helpful and having a diversion could lift their mood. Some would like activities organised during the day and had previously attended courses on topics including philosophy, stress management and assertiveness that they found helpful but that not everyone can afford.

Physical labour, gardening and exercise were seen as helpful interventions.

Others said access to appropriate treatment, such as bereavement counselling, was important for the emotional wellbeing of older adults. Participants articulated a need for the treatment of mental health difficulties to be normalised by means of integration into community services rather than mental health services.