Mental Health and Older Adults
World Mental Health Day is to be celebrated on October 10th under the theme “Mental Health and Older Adults”. The World Day is intended to raise public awareness about mental health issues of the older people in the Society. In addition, the Day will shed light on the issues of depression and dementia seen as the most important problems experienced by some older people in the world.
Globally, the number of people aged 60 and over is more than 800 million. Projections indicate that this figure will increase to over two billion in 2050. People aged 60 can now expect to survive an additional 18.5 to 21.6 years.
Older people face special health challenges. Many of older people lose ability to live independently because of limited mobility, or the other physical or mental health problems that require some form of long-term care.
It is important to help and take care of the older people, especially when psychological disorders are remarked; as the older people are often reluctant to ask for help. By celebrating this day, we are looking forward to finding out the most effective therapeutic methods for the mental issues and other mental and neurotic disorders experienced by the older people, placing particular emphasis on countries with poor resources. The World Day is also intended to hold more open discussions on mental diseases, and enlist greater investments for curative and preventive health services.
The World Health Day was first celebrated in 1992 as an initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH), which has members and contacts in more than 150 countries.
Internationally Approved Date: 10/10/2013
Locally Approved Date: 5/12/1434H
Theme:
“Mental Health and Older Adults”
Targeted Groups:
- Male and female older people.
- Mental health associations.
- Health decision makers.
- Physicians and health practitioners.
- Social and psychological institutions.
- The public.
Objectives and General Messages:
- Shedding light on the mental issues of the older people in the world.
- Raising public awareness on the mental health of the older people.
- Highlighting the issue of depression amidst the older people in the world and its implications.
- Highlighting the issue of dementia amidst the older people.
- Providing an opportunity for exchange of researches, experiences and expertise to help support the mental health for all, especially for the older people.
- Stimulating the role of psychological and social associations as well as the rehabilitation centers to support old-aged patients.
- Increasing awareness of the role of society and family in helping the older people and supporting them.
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