We have read with interest the article by Molloy et al. (2020), "Culture, the Stigma of Mental Illness, and Young People," which was published in the November 2020 issue of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services. It is integral to discuss the role that culture plays in mental health and how stigma can prevent access to much needed therapeutic intervention. We appreciate the discussion of this issue in the context of younger adults; however, this trend is also prevalent in the older adult population. This trend is worth investigating especially because older adults are at least 40% less likely to receive or seek treatment for mental health problems than their younger counterparts (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2019). In addition, suicide attempts, a sign of poor mental health, are "more likely to result in death in older adults than among younger people" (SAMHSA, 2019, p. 3).Currently, the number of older adults is increasing worldwide, and these individuals are living longer. In 2030, 20% of U.S. residents will be older than 65 years, and it is estimated that 4.8% of these individuals will have a serious mental illness (SAMHSA, 2019). In addition, the older adult population is becoming more diverse, as older racial and ethnic minority populations, including Asian, Hispanic, African American, and American Indian and Native Alaskan, are estimated to increase by 89% (SAMHSA, 2019). It is imperative, for youth and older adults, to have culturally competent health care professionals to provide much needed mental health services.
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