Journal of International Psychiatry

【Abstract】Objective: To understand the awareness rate of mental health in elderly in Jiading, Shanghai, and to provide a reference basis for further mental education. Methods: By random sampling method,910 elderly people aged 60 and above in Jiading district were extracted to carry out the questionnaire survey. Consequence: The average awareness rate of mental health knowledge in elderly is 76.9%; There was statistically significant difference between the groups with different level of education（P<0.05）,and the awareness rate was higher in elderly group with higher education level. The difference of correct-response rate according to the category of questions in the questionnaire was statistically significant（P<0.05）.The correct response rate related to Depression and Alzheimers disease is low, respectively is 69.8%and 77.1%. Conclusion: The popularity about mental health knowledge in elderly people in Jiading is good in general. Strengthen the knowledge related to depression and Alzheimers disease, especially the pathogeny knowledge is the focus in the future.

【Keywords】elderly people; knowledge of mental health; awareness rate; health education