Gaybo: Being busy kept depression away

BROADCASTER Gay Byrne believes keeping busy saved him from becoming depressed.

“Being so healthy throughout my life and being so busy, I believe I haven’t had time to be depressed,” said Mr Byrne as he urged older people to look after their mental health.

He was speaking at the launch in Dublin of a campaign aimed at raising awareness of depression and the importance of mental health in later life.

The campaign, by Lundbeck (Ireland) Ltd and supported by Age and Opportunity, is aimed at older people who may be reluctant to talk to their doctors about their mental health.

Mr Byrne believes people coming up to retirement are at risk of depression unless they have an abundance of interests outside of their job.

“The people who are programmed to fall into depression are the people for whom the job was their entire life,” he said.

Mr Byrne said he prepared for his retirement from RTÉ by imagining what his life would be like when he was no longer presenting the Gay Byrne Show or the Late Late Show.

“I telegraphed myself that I would continue to do bits and pieces, which is precisely what I am doing now at my own leisure and at my own choosing,” he said.

“I saw myself continuing to do work for as long as I was enjoying it; for as long as I was able to do it and for as long as I was asked to do it.”

Consultant in old age psychiatry, Prof Brian Lawlor, said more than one-third of older people felt that it was a struggle to keep depression at bay.

“Sometimes we see older people being very stoical and not wanting to admit a weakness but mental health is as important as physical health and must be maintained,” he said.

He said loneliness was a key determinant of mental health. “If you quantify it, the risk of loneliness to physical health is the same as smoking. That is a fairly significant risk.”

Chief executive of Age and Opportunity, Catherine Rose, said the organisation was established to promote opportunities for people to continue to participate in all aspects of life as they aged.

“We work in a range of areas forging link with local development organisation, arts, sports and education providers so as to create conditions where people can make choices and shape their own lives,” she said.

lLundbeck has produced a booklet – Mind Yourself – Depression in Later Life to help older people who may suffer from depression. It is available free by calling 01 4689800.

Healthcare professionals and support groups, such as Aware (1800 303 302) are available to help those experiencing symptoms of depression or suicidal thoughts.