Depression among the elderly is very common and can cause suicidal thoughts. People think that having depression is part of growing old and a disease that needs to be lived with. However, depression can be treated. There are many factors that can cause depression such as losing a lifelong partner and seeing their own children grow up. These life situations can result in many elderly people feeling useless and asking themselves: What else is there to live for? Is death the only thing to wait for?

In Italy, researchers have found out that a certain factor contributes to depression among the elderly more than gender, marital status, age, or lifestyle choices. This factor is that the elderly who live on the island of Sardinia are less depressed than Italian elderly from anywhere else in the country. Does it really make a difference where you live? Yes, it does. In the field of Public Health, we know that availability and infrastructure of health care services as well as social and recreational services are important for the peoples’ well-being. Elderly from Sardinia have health care services nearby to get treatment and preventive services they need. In addition, they are more physically active and more socially and culturally engaged, which increases their self-esteem and mental health.

What can Italy and other countries worldwide take away from this study? I believe that offering cultural, social, and recreational events for the elderly can improve their mental health. In addition, improving health care services in cities as well as in rural areas can not only prevent many mental and physical illnesses, but also give the elderly the treatments needed to live a longer independent life.

Martina Lesperance is a Health Educator and Screening Technician in El Paso, Texas.