'Down, but not out' is our campaign to improve the quality of life for older people with depression. Despite being the most common mental illness among older people, only 15 per cent of all older people with clinical depression receive treatment.

This must change. Visit the Age Concern site to take action now

Research by Age Concern in 2007 found that age discrimination is a major barrier to older people being diagnosed and treated for depression. GPs are less likely to diagnose depression in older people, and those who are diagnosed are far more likely to be prescribed anti-depressants rather than ‘talking therapies’ like counselling.

Many ‘talking therapies’ are limited to ‘adults of working age’ even though these treatments are clinically proven to be equally effective in older people. Age Concern and Help the Aged wants fair access and we are campaigning to change discriminatory rules within the NHS.

Support our campaign for fair access to treatment for depression for older people by visiting the Age Concern website