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.