Nearly 30% of the adult population in Sri Lanka faces various mental health challenges. Specialist Psychiatrist Madhushani Dias highlighted this during a program in Colombo last Sunday, stating that a significant percentage of those affected are senior citizens aged 60 or 65 and above.
Societal awareness regarding the mental health of the elderly remains very low despite the rapid increase in the ageing population. This lack of understanding causes seniors to encounter numerous difficulties. Many symptoms related to ageing get dismissed as “normal” due to prevailing myths and misconceptions within society.
Family members and the elderly themselves frequently overlook conditions such as memory loss and depression, viewing them as inevitable parts of the ageing process. These mental health concerns not only diminish the quality of life for senior citizens but also lead to a direct increase in physical health complications.
