It is estimated that in less than thirty years, older adults will account for 20 percent of the population, up from 13 percent today. Suicide occurs at a higher rate for older adults than any other age group. AoA found that older Americans are denied access to needed treatment and services for mental illness.
Stigma surrounding mental illness also prevents people from seeking treatment.
Bad news is that, for reasons cited in the report, the lack of insurance coverage is keeping people from treatment. New federal legislation proposes to require health plans to provide full insurance parity for people with serious brain disorders.