Ageism in Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma
Today, we’ll explore ageism in mental health and challenge its stigma. Specifically, ageism means age-based discrimination in mental health. For example, it includes stigma against older adults. By older adults, I refer to those over 55. As shared on my podcast “Schizophrenia As I Live It” (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2186769) and blog (https://dianadirkbywrites.com/blogs/), I live with paranoid schizophrenia. So did my mother. Additionally, my novel “The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia” reflects this experience. Sadly, my mother died at 65 from ovarian cancer. Now, I’m over 65. Please don’t assume I’m younger. Otherwise, that’s ageism.
I’ve lived in Australia, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. At 42, I moved to the USA and married. Back then, I looked younger. Consequently, Americans treated me as young. But what does that mean? Basically, I was half the average lifespan of 84. My spouse, now 82, is much older. We both agree he’s old. Naturally, he worries about my future if he passes first.
Despite my mental illness, I felt ageism in the USA around age 50. Thus, 55 is a fair benchmark. At mental health advocacy support groups, I was treated as older at 50.
These advocacy groups do amazing work. They improve lives for those with mental illness. However, they focus more on youth. In contrast, older adults nearing retirement are often overlooked. Yet, I needed their support most at that stage. Instead, support groups made me feel too old to matter.
Similarly, my mother faced ageism, even from family. Because I loved her, I supported her as she aged. At that time, we lived in Australia. Most of my energy went to her care. Meanwhile, friends said I had no life. They ignored my mother. So, I stopped inviting them over.
Older adults, like younger ones, have a future. Their remaining years are precious. Although fewer, these years matter. Therefore, they need equal support and medical advice.
The root of this discrimination is time. Younger people have more years ahead. As a result, people invest in their potential. However, older adults have valuable experience. Their wisdom benefits those around them. Moreover, they apply this knowledge to mental health challenges. Their voices matter in mental health discussions.
Unfortunately, my mother had anosognosia. This means she didn’t recognize her mental illness. She never saw herself as ill. Unfortunately, this was hard to manage. Doctors said she needed to be a danger for admission to a psychiatric ward.
Still, I was grateful for my mother’s gifts as her daughter. Living with her wasn’t easy as her condition worsened. Nevertheless, it was worth it. We maintained a shared connection. To me, she was a genius. Her older years were as fascinating as her younger ones.
Part of ageism assumes younger people have more time to recover. They face higher stakes, like building careers. On the other hand, older adults may be retired or on pensions. Their path seems set if mental health is stable. Thus, younger people get more attention. But older adults also need support. Their final years must be meaningful.
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