Down But Not Out

Age Concern's (UK) new campaign, 'Down, but not out', aims to improve the quality of life for older people with depression. Depression is the most common mental health problem in later life, affecting one in four older people yet it is often ignored. If depression is not identified and treated, it can lead to a life of misery. It can also cause other illnesses and, in extreme cases, can lead to suicide.

The charity will be helping older people to recognise the symptoms of depression and encouraging them to seek help. It will also be working with GPs to improve the diagnosis of older people with depression and ensure that effective treatments are available to all, regardless of age.

Poor health and problems such as money worries, losing a loved one, stress and events like moving into a care home can trigger depression. Recently bereaved older people are three times more likely than married older people to show signs of depression.

http://www.ageconcern.org.uk/AgeConcern/Documents/depression_campaign_report_PR.pdf