Introduction:
Stigma remains a major barrier to the recognition and treatment of depression, operating through sociocultural and structural mechanisms that vary across age groups. Despite widespread awareness of depression and the importance of early intervention, significant gaps persist between clinical need and access to care. Stigma contributes to delayed help-seeking, misinterpretation of symptoms, and underdiagnosis across diverse populations.

Aim:
To examine how stigma functions as a dynamic, bidirectional process influencing depression identification and help-seeking among adolescents/young adults and older adults.

Material and methods:
An integrative review of literature published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted using PubMed, ERIC, and Google Scholar. Twenty-seven studies meeting inclusion criteria were analyzed thematically, focusing on sociocultural determinants and measurement challenges.

Results and Discussion:
Stigma manifested differently across age groups: youth experienced fears of invalidation and inauthenticity, while older adults normalized distress and frequently somatized symptoms. Cultural beliefs, family honor, ageism, and structural barriers further shaped disclosure and access to care. Mental health literacy interventions showed limited impact in high-income regions but were more effective in Asian contexts.

Conclusions:
Stigma sustains a vicious cycle that hinders depression recognition and treatment across the lifespan. Effective interventions must move beyond education alone and adopt culturally sensitive, trust-based approaches to promote disclosure and timely care.