Mental health of older adults in humanitarian settings in low- and middle-income countries: a retrospective analysis from Médecins sans Frontières-supported mental health services, 2019–2024
Older adults in humanitarian settings experience diverse mental health symptoms, with critical differences by sex and displacement status. Women were more likely than men to present with mood-related symptoms and to report experiences of sexual trauma and abuse. Displacement significantly heightens exposure to violence and mental health presentations for both women and men. These findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen protection systems and ensure access to gender-sensitive mental health interventions for older populations.
Authors
- Favila Escobio
- Marion Staunton
- Eva V. Acosta Rodríguez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5871-2391)
- Judith van de Kamp (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6958-9579)
- Joyce L. Browne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7048-3245)
- Oscar H. Franco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4606-4929)
- Nadia Fredj
- Elburg van Boetzelaer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1168-8491)
- Umberto Pellecchia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1224-8698)
- Patrick Keating (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2170-2242)
- Raghda Sleit
- Grazia Caleo
- Martins Dada
- Germando Kagomba Barathi
- Agirdo David Akaso
- Nicole Wasara
Institutions
- University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
- Médecins Sans Frontières (BE)
- Médecins Sans Frontières (NL)
- Médecins Sans Frontières (LU)
- HelpAge International (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- BMJ Global Health
- Published
- 2025-07-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2025-019821
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Migration, Health and Trauma
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.61