RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Growing geriatric mental health needs of urban population in India pose several programmatic challenges. This study aimed to assess anxiety, depression and cognitive disorders among urban elderly, and explore availability of social support mechanisms and of a responsive health system to implement the national mental health programme. METHODS: 244 respondents were randomly selected from Berhampur city. We administered a semi-structured interview schedule to assess substance abuse, chronic morbidity, anxiety, depression and cognitive abilities. Further, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 key informants including district officials, psychiatrists, and programme managers. We used R software and 'thematic framework' approach, respectively, for quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Ethical standards were complied with. RESULTS: About half of the respondents were economically dependent; 57.3% had moderate to severe anxiety; 46.7% had moderate to severe depression; while about 25% had severe cognitive impairments. We found association of chewing tobacco (1.34(0.28-2.40)) and depression (0.52(0.37-0.68)) with anxiety; negative perception about elderly-friendly society (1.64(0.75-2.53)) and physical inactivity (2.88(1.60-4.16)) with depression; and age (-0.11(-0.20 - -0.02)) and physical inactivity (-3.44(-5.13 - -1.74)) with cognitive disorders. Qualitative analysis revealed lack of awareness, social stigma, poor availability of trained human resources, and poor political commitment as important systemic barriers to early detection and treatment of mental ailments among the elderly. CONCLUSION: Establishing tobacco cessation centres, sensitizing community about mental health needs of elderly, incentivizing physical activity of elderly, integrating mental health with primary care, multi-skilling providers and developing a cadre of community counsellors need urgent attention of policy makers and programme implementers.