Elderly Mental Health and Depression: Stories of Aging, Stigma, and Support

Depression in older adults is often misunderstood or dismissed as a “normal” part of aging. But the reality is, late-life depression is common, underdiagnosed, and too often left untreated. In this heartfelt episode of Giving Voice to Depression, we revisit a conversation with Mary, a 93-year-old mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who bravely shared her struggles with aging, loneliness, and depression.

Mary’s honest words highlight the stigma older generations face in talking about mental health, the unique challenges of losing friends and independence, and the importance of connection, presence, and support.

This replay not only honors Mary’s voice but also shines a light on the urgent need to address mental health in older adults with compassion, openness, and community.

Primary Topics Covered:

• The stigma around mental health in older adults
• Why late-life depression is often overlooked or dismissed
• The impact of loneliness and loss on seniors’ mental health
• The importance of family, connection, and showing up
• Practical ways to support aging loved ones experiencing depression

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction and context of the episode
 01:13 – Remembering Mary and honoring her voice
 02:28 – Mary introduces herself and speaks about being 93 and depressed
 03:10 – Generational stigma and attitudes toward mental health
 03:46 – Coping with aging, deafness, and loneliness
 04:59 – How stigma and self-stigma impact older adults
 06:06 – Mary’s reflections on feeling ashamed of depression
 07:28 – Why seniors struggle to open up about depression
 08:39 – What support looks like to Mary
 09:54 – The universality of wanting someone to show up and care
 10:58 – Healthy habits and mental health in older adults
 11:52 – Reflections on Mary’s courage and message
 12:10 – Closing thoughts and preview of next week’s episode

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