1-10 October is Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Week
IFSW Europe is pleased to support this initiative to raise awareness of the importance of better mental health for older people.
Across the world, approximately 15% of adults aged 60 and over live with a mental health problem. Seven percent are living with dementia. Social determinants hugely affect people through their lives and lead to increased risk and inequality. Poverty, oppression, and ageism all impact on mental health in later life.
Kicking off on 1 October with United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons (UNIDOP) and concluding on 10 October in conjunction with World Mental Health Day, this ten-day initiative launched by the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) is focused on raising awareness, challenging stigma, and increasing action for better mental health for older people.
Social work plays a vital part in advocating for older people’s rights and opportunities to thrive in later life.
Visit Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Week (ipa-online.org) to find out more and share your support.