Around 120,000 older Scots could be living with undiagnosed mental health conditions caused by loneliness and isolation, charities have warned.

A quarter of people aged over 65 experience depression when they feel lonely, leading to other problems including anxiety in some cases.

The Mental Health Foundation and Age Scotland said there is often a reluctance among the older generation to seek help, with almost a third saying they feel they ought to cope with it by themselves.

A survey by the charities found new technology could be contributing to loneliness, with 80% saying spending time face-to-face with others improves their mental health.

The charities are calling for more action to reduce mental health problems among older people and want to see a Welcome Home Box introduced for discharged patients leaving hospital.

It would include information, advice and a four-week befriending service to link older people with local community groups to cut hospital re-admissions among older people.

The Mental Health Foundation also wants to see screening for depression upon leaving hospital to flag up older patients at risk of loneliness to social care teams.

Brian Sloan, chief executive of Age Scotland, said: "Loneliness is a growing public health crisis and should not simply be considered an inevitable part of getting older.

"This new research shows the devastating toll that it is taking on the mental health and well-being of older Scots. We need to see action on a national scale to tackle the epidemic of loneliness and isolation.

"Our plan sets out steps that would make a real difference to older people, such as screening hospital patients for depression and social isolation and investing in community support, such as befriending services or Men's Sheds."

Lee Knifton, head of Mental Health Foundation Scotland, said: "The mental health needs of older people need to be taken seriously and not just bundled as 'older people's problems', as they too often are.

"It's disappointing that among the 40 actions of the new mental health strategy, not one of them is specific to older people.

"If we prevent loneliness we can prevent mental health problems and reduce hospital admissions."