A Melrose man is sharing his story with News 12 after realizing depression can happen at any age.

Angel Torres, 77, says his depression began following the 2019 death of his wife of 40 years.

According to the Melrose senior, after the heartbreaking loss he started having bouts of depression. Months of being isolated at home because of the pandemic took a toll on his mental health.

“I was getting sad. I didn't know I was getting depression,” says Torres.

After his condition reached a critical point, loved ones brought him to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi for help and treatment.

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that 1 in 4 adults ages 65 and older have reported anxiety or depression within the past year.

Dr. Johanna Cabassa is a geriatric psychiatrist at Jacobi. Cabassa says the pandemic has taken a toll on people of all ages. “A lot of people have lost someone. Depression is not part of aging.”

News 12 is told Jacobi offers a wide range of mental health and treatment programs – some focusing on the elderly. 

“Access is important,” says Cabassa. “Communicating with their family members making sure we bring services to them.”

Some common signs of depression include trouble sleeping, loss of interest in favorite activities, overwhelming feeling of sadness, change in appetite, fatigue, and hopeless, according to the city’s Department of Health.

As for Torres, he tells News 12 his treatment is making a difference in his mental wellbeing by attending therapy sessions at least twice a week. He says he is in a better place because of his treatment and the help from his family.