According to a charity, depression is considered a natural part of getting older and because of this misconception almost two million older people are being denied treatment for their depression.

The charity finds that over 65s when seek help for their depression, they are often fobbed off and given inappropriate treatment.

The Charity is known as Age Concern and it provides support and help to old people. Age Concern also stressed the government to address age discrimination in health services in its coming Equality Bill.

Only 10% older people with clinical depression are recommended to specialist mental health services while 50% younger adults with some mental or emotional problems are referred to the same services.

In a lot of cases, because of discriminatory rules that exclude people over 65 years of age, GPs can’t refer older people to other parts of the NHS that may help them out from depression.

Age Concern revealed that almost 8 out of 10 older people with depression don’t get any sort of treatment.

To improve the lives of older people with depression, Age Concern has started a new campaign ‘Down, but not out’.

Gordon Lishman who is director general of Age Concern told in an interview: “You can’t deny older people from treatment just considering depression a natural part of getting older. They deserve better treatment and there mustn’t be any excuse for inaction.”