• Older people are less likely to access mental health services due to ageism – although the mental health burden is similar to that of other age groups and treatment has been proven to be effective
• On average, people worldwide lose over a week (7.2 days) a year to mental health-related disabilities
• This has huge economic ramifications – 4.2% of GDP is lost to mental health conditions across OECD countries every year

New research published today by the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC) finds that serious mental health conditions are hampering people’s ability to live more fulfilling long lives.

While there is increasing attention globally on mental health and wellbeing, people living with serious mental health conditions – such as major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and schizophrenia – remain underserved and are less likely to receive the tailored support they need.

Already, one in every eight people around the world currently suffers from a mental health condition. The Mind the age gap report estimates that the average person spends over a week (7.2 days) with a mental health-related disability every year. This is only set to increase as we live longer lives: half of us will experience a mental health condition at some stage during our lives, but we are less likely to seek or get support as we age.

Table 1: The estimated percentage of age group cohorts living with a mental health disorder

Source: World Health Organization (WHO)

The report highlights that older people are less likely to seek support for mental health due to stigma and generational taboos, with internalised ageism adversely affecting the psychological wellbeing of older people. This can further compound older people’s mental health issues and highlights inequitable access to mental health support between different age groups.

The key drivers of poor mental health – including adverse childhood events, bereavement, caring responsibilities, a lack of social infrastructure, stigma and discrimination – have an impact and occur right across our long lives, argues ILC.

As such, the report urges policymakers to adopt a life course and person-centred approach that allows for better mental healthcare access and support throughout every stage of people’s longer lives.

Alongside this, the authors call for greater investment in mental health care and infrastructure. As global heads of state and government prepare to meet for the UN High-Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases later this year, ILC urges mental illness to be recognised as a fifth major NCD to receive the policy attention and investment it deserves.

Patrick Swain, ILC’s Research and Development Manager and report co-author commented:

“As increased longevity continues to reshape our societies and demographics, mental ill health poses a huge barrier to realising the opportunities of longer lives.

We know all too well about the mental health crisis affecting young people. But unfortunately, it doesn’t end there. Poor mental health can come at any time. And adverse events in childhood stay with us for life.

The good news is that with the right support, people can live well even with serious mental health conditions. But we need targeted, personalised support at all stages of life.

Mental health has fallen short of physical health for far too long – from accessibility, to funding, to attention. That needs to change now.”

Ends

Notes:

1. WHO data is often gathered by age group, with “working age” people often included up until the age of 64. ILC’s stance is that with longer lives more of us will need to spend more years in work, and populations in many countries work beyond the age of 64 already.