Older adults in Charlotte face stigma around therapy, experts say

WBTV reported that many older adults in the Charlotte area avoid therapy due to stigma rooted in their generation's values of silence and self-reliance. Gerontologist Sam Cradduck explained that mental health was often hidden and asking for help was seen as shameful among older adults.

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, noted that older generations were taught to be stoic and survive hardships rather than heal from them. She added that depression in older adults may not appear as sadness but rather irritability or loss of motivation, which often goes unrecognized.

Aging expert Amy O’Rourke said the word "therapy" can shut down conversations, so she uses alternative language to help older adults open up. Experts emphasized that psychotherapy is essential for healing and addressing the heavy emotional burdens many older adults carry.

The discussion highlights the importance of understanding generational attitudes toward mental health and finding low-pressure ways to support older loved ones in seeking help.

Local caregivers and families are encouraged to approach the topic with sensitivity and to recognize signs of depression that may differ from younger populations.