TY - JOUR

T1 - Older adults’ views and experiences of accessing secondary care mental health services in the community

T2 - a metasynthesis of qualitative literature

AU - Matthewson, Jennifer

AU - Tyler, Elizabeth

AU - Jones, Steven

AU - Monk, Lucy

AU - Haddock, Gillian

PY - 2025/4/21

Y1 - 2025/4/21

N2 - ObjectivesResearch has highlighted under-utilisation of mental health services by older adults. This review aims to systematically review existing literature on older adults’ experiences of accessing community mental health support from secondary care services. The review aims to develop recommendations to improve the mental health support older adults receive.MethodA comprehensive systematic search was conducted across four databases. Terms relating to older adult experiences and factors impacting access to secondary mental health community services were included. Nineteen eligible papers were identified. Data were thematically synthesised.ResultsFour analytical themes and 12 descriptive subthemes were identified. Overarching themes included social influences and service factors which impacted engagement and accessibility, and personal factors. Sub-themes included mental health knowledge and beliefs, the impact of past experiences and social factors including discrimination and support. Help-seeking behaviours were influenced by accessibility of services, service support and clinician factors.ConclusionEducational initiatives can help to increase mental health knowledge of older adults and their families allowing for improved access to services. Increased training for clinicians can improve referral processes and enable services to adapt to the unique needs of older adults. Studies reviewed were worldwide and reflected a range of views supporting relevance of outcomes globally.

AB - ObjectivesResearch has highlighted under-utilisation of mental health services by older adults. This review aims to systematically review existing literature on older adults’ experiences of accessing community mental health support from secondary care services. The review aims to develop recommendations to improve the mental health support older adults receive.MethodA comprehensive systematic search was conducted across four databases. Terms relating to older adult experiences and factors impacting access to secondary mental health community services were included. Nineteen eligible papers were identified. Data were thematically synthesised.ResultsFour analytical themes and 12 descriptive subthemes were identified. Overarching themes included social influences and service factors which impacted engagement and accessibility, and personal factors. Sub-themes included mental health knowledge and beliefs, the impact of past experiences and social factors including discrimination and support. Help-seeking behaviours were influenced by accessibility of services, service support and clinician factors.ConclusionEducational initiatives can help to increase mental health knowledge of older adults and their families allowing for improved access to services. Increased training for clinicians can improve referral processes and enable services to adapt to the unique needs of older adults. Studies reviewed were worldwide and reflected a range of views supporting relevance of outcomes globally.

U2 - 10.1080/13607863.2025.2489727

DO - 10.1080/13607863.2025.2489727

M3 - Journal article

JO - Aging and Mental Health

JF - Aging and Mental Health

SN - 1360-7863

ER -