In the 21st century, depression is still seen as a taboo subject.

It’s a condition that can affect anyone at any time, but the older generation in particular often still have a ‘stiff upper lip’ attitude when it comes to admitting they are feeling depressed.

Our ageing population is increasing and, while many people look forward to retiring, some can find it difficult to adjust to a life without the daily working routine.

Marilyn Foster recognised older people’s attitudes to depression during the 30 or so years she spent as a counsellor.

She says some people believe they cannot be depressed and that they just have to ‘get on with it’, and that older people in particular often feel they have lost the status they once had.

They no longer work, they may have lost people they love and their children may have moved away. This can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Being diagnosed with dementia, Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s can also lead to depression.

Through her experiences as a counsellor, Marilyn saw how depression was often dismissed as something that was simply part of old age.

“I had it in the back of my mind that we needed to do something about this,” she says.

Marilyn is the chairman of Bradford-based action group Positive Minds, which was set up last year in response to Undiagnosed, Untreated, At Risk, a report published in 2008 as part of the national Down, But Not Out campaign by Age Concern, now known as Age UK.

The report found that more than two million people over 65 in the UK have symptoms of depression, but the vast majority are denied help. It also found that ageist attitudes led to eight out of ten older people with clinical depression not getting any treatment.

According to the report, most mental health services for depression exclude people aged 65 and older, despite the risk of depression increasing with age.

Positive Minds aims to improve choice and services for older people with mild to moderate depression.

Marilyn is also vice-chairman of Bradford Older People’s’Alliance. Together with Bradford Link, an initiative set up to give everyone a stronger voice on health and social care services in the district, they are two of the many organisations involved in Positive Minds.

Positive Minds has teamed up with amateur film-maker David Halsall to produce a short documentary based on older people’s experiences of depression, in the hope it will raise awareness of what it’s like living with depression in later life.

David, a former business studies lecturer, is passionate about giving a voice to community and voluntary groups.

“By getting older people who have gone through a period of depression to share their experiences on video, we hope to be able to help others recognise the symptoms and know it can be effectively treated,” he says.

David believes there has been a sea change in attitudes towards depression. He believes the older generation tend to accept it more as a factor of growing old, whereas the baby boom generation – born after the Second World War – are more likely to see it as something that can be treated and do something about it.

“The primary aim is to communicate to people who are going through the journey and thinking they are only just coping with life at the moment, and also meet the carers, children, and partners going through the journey,” says David.

David and the Positive Minds team also hope to chat with health professionals for the DVD, which is expected to be launched in October. The intention is that it will be made available through GPs’ surgeries.

Marilyn says a ‘lifelong service’ is needed to help people with such problems. “The best way we can ensure that medical professionals understand how depression seriously affects the quality of life of older people is for those who have experienced it to help in the production of this video,” she says.

* Anyone who has suffered depression, or is close to someone who has, and would like to share their experiences, is asked to call David on 07947 840115 or e-mail: davidhalsall@ btinternet.com