beyondblue's research shows that it is a commonly-held view among people of all ages - including older people - that as we age, we experience accumulative losses and that it is normal for people to become depressed as they reach later life. 

Grief and loss is not depression, although the symptoms can appear similar.  The most important message about depression and older people is that depression is not a normal part of ageing.

Depression is a common health problem and with the right treatment, most people recover. A good first step is reading up about the signs and symptoms and going to a GP to discuss any you might recognise in yourself.

Download beyondblue's new booklet - Older people and depression, featuring information on mental health, services and interviews with older people here.

beyondblue is also running an Over B.....! Eighties campaign to encourage people over 80 to tell their stories and share their advice on what keeps them well. To find out more, see our Over B.......! Eighties page.

Other useful information includes:

Fact sheet 1 - How can you help someone with depression?

Fact sheet 2 - Living with and caring for a person with depression

Fact sheet 17 - Depression in older people

Fact Sheet 18 - Depression and coronary heart disease

Fact Sheet 19 - Depression and diabetes

Fact Sheet 20 - Depression after stroke

Fact Sheet 23 - Chronic physical Illness and depression

Fact sheet 24 - Help for depression under Medicare

Fact sheet  25 - Depression and dementia  

Fact sheet 27 - Depression and arthritis

Fact sheet 28 - Grief, loss and depression

beyondblue Victorian Centre of Excellence research projects:

Development of a training program for professional carers in recognising late-life depression.  Click here

Caring for the depressed elderly in the emergency department Click here

Specialist mental health consultation in the treatment of depression in nursing home residents with dementia Click here. 

Recognising and screening for depression among older people living in residential care Click here

Using physical activity in the management of depressed older people Click here  

Identifying and minimising depression and psychological distress in family caregivers of people receiving palliative care Click here

beyondblue-funded Research

Read about the beyondblue-funded Beyond Ageing project involving 909 participants aged 60 to 74. The research aims to find out whether exercise, Vitamin B, folate and other preventative measures can reduce the risk of depression in later life. Click here

45 and UP Study - The largest study of healthy ageing ever undertaken in the Southern Hemisphere involving over 100,000 people Click here

Information collected through the 45 and Up Study will be used by policy agencies and by researchers to help gain a better understanding of how to prevent and provide the best possible health care for common health conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, depression, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.

1-31 October: South Australia Seniors Month

beyondblue is working with Council on the Ageing (COTA) in South Australia to raise awareness of depression in older people and where to get help through a peer-education program: beyond maturityblues.

Older people learn about depression - its signs, symptoms, treatments and where to get help - from trained educators their own age.

Call COTA Seniors Voice for more information on sessions on (08) 8232 0422. Click here for more information on Seniors Month events.

1-7 October: Tasmanian Seniors Week

beyondblue is working with Council on the Ageing (COTA) in Tasmania to raise awareness of depression in older people and where to get help through a peer-education program: beyond maturityblues.

Older people learn about depression - its signs, symptoms and treatments and where to get help - from trained educators their own age.

Call the Council on the Ageing Tasmania on 03 6228 1897 for more information on sessions.

For more information on beyond maturityblues click here

For a list of Tasmanian Seniors Week events click here

2 October: Walk to Work Day

Walk to Work Day, organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia and supported by beyondblue, is a national awareness-raising event encouraging everyone to leave the car at home or get off the bus or train a few stops early to benefit fitness and the environment.

To learn more about the benefits of exercise for depression click here

For more information on Walk to Work Day click here.

Mental Health Week 2009 Launches

Queensland

The 2009 official state launch of Mental Health Week will take place at the Fusion Festival, Cotton Tree Park, Maroochydore on Sunday 4 October 2009 from 12pm to 7pm.

The Fusion Festival aims to promote positive mental health by bringing the community together with local artists, businesses, services, sporting clubs, leisure activities and non-profit service providers.

For more information see http://www.thefusionfestival.com or email  mhmarketing@health.qld.gov.au or call (07) 3328 9501.

South Australia

Communities throughout South Australia will celebrate Mental Health Week from Sunday 4 October to Saturday 10 October, with awards, events, performances, films, exhibitions, forums, discussions and more. All over the state communities will connect to spread the word that Mental Health is relevant for everyone.

Mental Health Week will be launched in conjunction with award presentations for the Margaret Tobin Awards. The awards ceremony will take place at the Adelaide Festival Centre on Tuesday 6 October 2009 from 9.20am.

For a full list of activities in South Australia visit the Mental Health Coalition South Australia website www.mchsa.org.au

Victoria

The official launch of Mental Health Week in Victoria will take place on the morning of Monday 5 October.  The Hon. Lisa Neville, Minister for Mental Health, will open the Week's celebrations at the BMW Edge Theatre at Federation Square, Melbourne at 9.30am.

For further information on Mental Health Week events in Victoria visit www.mentalhealthvic.org.au

Western Australia

The Official launch of Mental Health Week in WA takes place from 11am to 3pm on Monday 5 October at Rotunda, Eastern Foreshore, Mandurah. Includes information stalls, sausage sizzle, activities and presentations.

The official closing ceremony takes please from 11.30am to 1.30pm on Friday 9 October - Pathways Community BBQ, Big Swamp Wildlife Park, Prince Phillip Drive, Bunbury.  For more information call 08 9791 1257. For a full list of WA Mental Health Week events visit www.waamh.org.au or email mhw@waamh.org.au 

ACT

The official launch Mental Health Week in ACT takes place from 11am to 12pm on Tuesday 6 October at the Park Stage, Floriade, Commonwealth Park, Canberra. For a full list of ACT events during Mental Health Week visit www.health.act.gov.au

New South Wales

The official launch of Mental Health Week NSW will take place from 11am to 3pm on Wednesday 7 October at Martin Place, Sydney.  The Week will officially be launched by The Hon. Barbara Perry, Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health).

Events highlights include performances from the Sydney Street Choir and local dancers from 'Studio 101', interactive drum circle with over 100 drummers, presentation of the Mental Health Matters Awards by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW, free massages, show bags and a raffle to be drawn on stage, total prize draw worth over $3,000, community art exhibition and sausage sizzle.  

The event will also include speeches from artist/sculptor Greg Wilson and ABC Radio Rugby League Commentator Craig Hamilton (beyondblue Ambassador). For further information on Mental Health Week events in NSW visit www.mentalhealth.asn.au

Tasmania

The launch of Mental Health Week in Tasmania will take place from 10am to 4pm on Friday 9 October in the Botanical Gardens, Hobart.

Over 30 stallholders will be in attendance with interactive displays, activities and entertainment relating to mental health and well-being.  There will also be live music, and a free sausage sizzle. 

• 10am - Event opens
• 10.30am  - Richmond Fellowship Band
• 11-12pm -  Battle of the Bands
• 12pm - Launch of Consumer, Family and Carer Support Guide by Minister for Health, The Hon. Lara Giddings
• 12-2pm -  Free sausage sizzle
• 12.30pm - Panel Discussion on youth mental health issues
• 1.15pm -  Presentation of prizes by Minister for Health

For more information on Mental Health Week events in Tasmania visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au

Northern Territory

The NT Mental Health Coalition's theme for this year is "Mental Health in the Workplace." For a full list of Mental Health Week events in the NT visit  www.ntcoss.org.au/news/events

World Mental Health Day 2009 - 10 October

The theme of World Mental Health Day 2009 is "Mental Health in Primary Care: Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health".

For more information visit the World Federation for Mental Health's website at http://www.wfmh.org/00WorldMentalHealthDay.htm

4-11 October: Victorian Seniors Festival

beyondblue is working with Council on the Ageing (COTA) in Victoria to raise awareness of depression in older people and where to get help through a peer-education program: beyond maturityblues.

Older people learn about depression - its signs, symptoms, available treatments and where to get help - from trained educators their own age.

For information on sessions, call the Council on the Ageing Victoria on 03 9654 4443 or visit their website

For more information on beyond maturityblues click here

Now in its 26th year, the 2008 Victorian Seniors Festival includes more than 1000 free and low-cost events across Victoria.  For a full list of Victorian Seniors Week celebrations click here

11-17 October: Anti-Poverty Week

More than one million Australians live in poverty. This week aims to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship and encourage discussion and action to address these problems.

There are many ways to get involved. Everyone who is interested in helping to reduce poverty and hardship here or overseas is encouraged to organise their own activities during the Week or join in some being organised by other people. For information on how to get involved, go to http://www.antipovertyweek.org.au/

18-23 October: National Carers Week

Caring for someone with a mental health disorder can be lonely, overwhelming and frustrating. Getting the right information and help to carers is a top priority of beyondblue, which has a range of free resources available to them. This year, beyondblue has released a booklet - A Guide for Carers: Caring for Yourself, Caring for Others which can be ordered from the website or by calling 1300 22 4636.

Download a PDF of the guide and read interviews with people who care for family members or friends with a mental illness here: http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=59.1178

Other useful information includes:

Fact sheet 1 - How can you help someone with depression?

Fact sheet 2 - Living with and caring for a person with depression

To read about beyondblue's carer's program click here

Research:

beyondblue and the Carers Network Research Project click here

Carer experiences of depression click here

Rural carers on line: A feasibility study. click here

25 October: Seven Bridges Walk, Sydney

The Seven Bridges Walk, organised by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, is a free event on Sunday 25 October that aims to get thousands of people walking together and enjoying the breathtaking views around Sydney Harbour. Participants can start and finish at any stage of the 22 kilometre walk. The circuit crosses seven bridges including the Harbour Bridge and walkers can, if they wish, make a small donation which will be divided between beyondblue, Heart Foundation, Cancer Council (NSW) and Diabetes Australia (NSW).  For more information or to register, go to the official Seven Bridges Walk website.

25 - 31 October: Western Australian Seniors Week

beyondblue is working with Council on the Ageing (COTA) in Western Australia to raise awareness of depression in older people and where to get help through a peer-education program: beyond maturityblues.

Call the Council on the Ageing Western Australia on 03 9321 2133 or visit their website for more information on sessions.

For more information on beyond maturityblues click here

For a list of Western Australia Seniors Week events, click here