No one is immune to issues that can negatively impact their mental health, including men and women approaching retirement age and those already retired. Although the term “golden years” implies that retirement life is one long sunny day, many people 60 and older are facing mental health challenges.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 15% of the world’s adults aged 60 and over suffer from a mental disorder. What makes that statistic even more troubling is that it likely doesn’t paint the most accurate picture of seniors and mental health, as depression is often undiagnosed among older men and women and untreated because it co-occurs with other issues affecting seniors.

In the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognized that late-life anxiety was not well understood. However, much progress has been made recently thanks to increased awareness of mental health issues among seniors. Today, seniors have plenty of resources available to help them learn how to maintain their mental health.

The National Institute of Mental Health says recognizing signs of mental health issues is the first step to getting treatment. Mental health issues vary, and individuals with anxiety typically experience more symptoms than those with depression. These include:

  • Noticeable changes in mood, energy, or appetite 
  • Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions 
  • Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping 
  • Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless or on edge, worrying, and experiencing stress. 
  • Anger, irritability, or aggressive behavior 
  • Persistent headaches, digestive problems, or pain 
  • Misuse of alcohol or drugs, or participating in high-risk activities 
  • Sadness, hopelessness, and possibly suicidal thoughts. 
  • Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors, along with thoughts or actions that disrupt work, family, or social life. 
  • Seeing, hearing, and feeling things that others do not see, hear, or feel. 

A growing awareness of mental health issues and how they affect seniors has translated to more available resources for aging men and women who need help. Seniors can visit the NIMH Help for Mental Illnesses webpage https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help  to access contact information for such help.  

While most cases of depression cannot be prevented, adopting a healthy lifestyle can provide long-term benefits for seniors’ mental health. This includes staying physically active, eating a balanced diet to lower the risk of diseases that can lead to disability and depression, getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night, staying socially engaged, and sharing mental health issues or concerns with friends, family members, and your physician.  

Research shows that seniors are at risk for mental health problems. More information on how to address and overcome these concerns is available at nimh.nih.gov.