As a highly prevalent and disabling mental health condition among older adults, the epidemiology of depressive disorders could have evolved with global ageing. We aimed to assess the global, regional, and national burdens and trends of depressive disorders among older adults aged ≥ 55 years. We retrieved data from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021 on the incidence, prevalence and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of depressive disorders for older adults. Estimated annual percentage changes were calculated to quantify the temporal trends. In 2021, there were an estimated 93.1 million (95 % UI 80.4-108.5) older adults with depressive disorders globally, representing a substantial increase of 136.1 % from the 1990 estimates. The number of DALYs globally in 2021 was 14.8 million (10.3-20.1) for depressive disorders. The largest increase in DALYs was observed in High-income Asia Pacific, while the largest reduction was in Eastern Europe. In terms of risk factors, the corresponding estimated annual percentage change for intimate partner violence was -0.02 % (-0.11 to 0.07), and for childhood sexual abuse and bullying was -0.22 % (-0.30 to -0.14), from 1990 to 2021. For three decades, improved health conditions had not resulted in the expected decline in depressive disorders burdens among older adults, highlighting the need for health policy attention, especially in countries with low to medium Socio-demographic Index. It is important to align funding priorities with epidemiological shifts in low- and middle-income countries to mitigate depressive disorders burdens among this population.

The overlapping vulnerabilities associated with sexual minority status and developmental transitions call for focusing on depressive symptoms among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Drawing on minority stress and family systems perspectives, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms and to evaluate the mediating role of loneliness in the association between family functioning and depressive symptoms. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, young MSM aged 16-24 years were recruited between April and October 2024 through online and offline strategies across eight sites in Foshan and Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. Socio-demographic, mental health, and sexual health characteristics were collected. Logistic regression was used to assess correlates of depressive symptoms, and a regression-based mediation framework was employed to examine the possible mediating role of loneliness. A total of 777 young MSM were recruited. Most were current students (574, 74.0%), non-heterosexual (520, 66.9%), and living in urban areas (51.6%). Overall, 37.2% of them had depressive symptoms. Non-heterosexual orientation (aOR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38-0.98), severe family dysfunction (1.86, 1.13-3.06), and loneliness (5.54, 3.75-8.18) were associated with depressive symptoms. Loneliness explained 57.5% of the association between family functioning and depressive symptoms, suggesting a substantial partial mediation. A substantial proportion of young MSM reported depressive symptoms. Family dysfunction was associated with depressive symptoms, with loneliness mediating the association. Interventions that address loneliness, while also fostering supportive family and community environments, could offer practical strategies for addressing mental health challenges in this population.