Bangladesh is one of the most populated countries in the world and caters to more than 15 million aged 60 years and above with a proportion of more than 9% of the total population. Among the age groups, psychiatric disorders were most prevalent in the geriatric age in Bangladesh. However, mental illness among this group remains under-diagnosed, and geriatric psychiatry is a neglected entity in the country. There is a lack of academic attention, research, and specialized mental health services for geriatric populations in Bangladesh. In this chapter, we discuss the proportion of the geriatric population, the burden of mental health problems among the elderly, available mental health services, existing programs and policies on geriatric mental health, available evidence and research gaps, enduring challenges, and ways ahead in Bangladesh.

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Geriatric Psychiatry in Bangladesh: Current Status and Ways Ahead

  • S. M. Yasir Arafat,
  • Atiqul Haq Mazumder

摘要

Bangladesh is one of the most populated countries in the world and caters to more than 15 million aged 60 years and above with a proportion of more than 9% of the total population. Among the age groups, psychiatric disorders were most prevalent in the geriatric age in Bangladesh. However, mental illness among this group remains under-diagnosed, and geriatric psychiatry is a neglected entity in the country. There is a lack of academic attention, research, and specialized mental health services for geriatric populations in Bangladesh. In this chapter, we discuss the proportion of the geriatric population, the burden of mental health problems among the elderly, available mental health services, existing programs and policies on geriatric mental health, available evidence and research gaps, enduring challenges, and ways ahead in Bangladesh.