The population in Korea is aging at an alarming pace. According to Statistics Korea, by 2025 the country is forecast to become a super-aged society, with individuals aged 65 years and older comprising over 20 percent of its estimated total population of 52 million. By 2050, the number is expected to rise to 44 percent. This demographic change has important implications for the health sector and social systems. How the nation deals with these changes will determine its population’s health in decades to come.

Good mental health is pivotal to overall well-being but is often unrecognized and undertreated compared to physical health. Depression, for example, is one of the most common mental health illnesses affecting older adults in Korea. The government record reveals that in 2021, one in three patients with depression was in their 60s or older. Experts assume that there is a high number of unreported cases due to the social stigma surrounding mental illness. In addition to socio-environmental influences, this age group is affected by stressors related to aging, such as loss of loved ones, declining physical and cognitive ability, chronic pain, social network changes after retirement, income reduction and caregiving responsibilities. These stressors compound underlying conditions.

Untreated depression often deleteriously affects the course of other chronic diseases. It increases the incidence of risky behaviors, such as alcohol and substance use disorders. Studies have shown that depression is a potential risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia for this age group. However, depression is treatable, with 80 to 90 percent responding well to current treatment methods of psychotherapy and medications. Many can resume a normal level of full mental functioning after treatment. Even though current community-based outreach efforts tend to prioritize the management of chronic diseases for older adults, mind and body are connected, so weaving mental health education into existing community programs yields the best health outcomes.

Barriers to seeking help for mental health issues include social stigma, false beliefs that these problems are a normal part of aging, and limited access to care. Mental health literacy encompasses knowledge, beliefs and the ability to recognize, manage or prevent mental health problems. It can incorporate methods, such as self-help, self-care or help-seeking behaviors for one’s self and others. Implementing comprehensive mental health literacy programs is of prime importance as they can increase a sense of competence and foster engagement in proactive behaviors among older adults.

Social stigma is a persistent reason older adults are reluctant to seek help and this can lead to discrimination and social isolation for those with illnesses. Such stigma are thought to be more potent in collectivistic countries like Korea, where individuals derive their self-worth from membership in the wider group.

Seeking help outside of one’s family may cause some to worry about how it might reflect on their family members. Many older adults manifest mental illness via physical symptoms, which leads to healthcare providers overlooking underlying conditions and patients being unaware of their own illnesses. Some mental health professionals pessimistically believe that treatment will not make a difference for older adults, and they are less likely to offer treatment. Battling these stigmas is challenging given the two-way bias from patients and mental health providers.

It has been observed that health care accessibility differs from one community to the next in Korea, disproportionately and adversely affecting residents from low-income neighborhoods. These differences in accessibility lead to health disparities. Ensuring equitable resource allocation for sustainable community development is important because as they age, many older adults hope to continue to live in the home or community where they have spent their adult lives. Having sufficient access to care in a resource-rich community not only enables older adults to proactively manage their mental health but also supports healthy aging.

The World Health Organization describes health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Understanding this as personal well-being, individual older adults should be able to take an active role in addressing their own mental health and well-being. Not only can mental health professionals equip older adults to identify risk factors, but they can also empower the elderly and their families by developing and strengthening protective factors. Examining underlying assumptions and prejudices can benefit their personal and professional development.

Lastly, although several initiatives have been introduced to support older adults nationwide, the Korean government should scale up efforts to implement inclusive and accessible services. With the collaboration of local government agencies, the collective well-being of older adults may be achieved. The cumulative effect of these actions will contribute to Korea’s becoming a positive “super” aged society.

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