Depression at any Age

A Stubborn, Persistent Stigma Surround Depression, Creating Barriers to Care

Depression is a devastating mental illness that can affect someone at any stage of life. A recent article by Jo Anne Sirey highlights the continued stigma that surrounds depression as a major barrier to seeking treatment.  Sirey states, “Once depression is detected, older adults face several barriers to mental health care, but attitude is one of the most significant. Many older adults not only perceive stigma from the community, but also self-stigmatize. Often they feel that they cannot be open about their depression, fearing that someone will tell others about their symptoms.”