Age UK Thanet and NHS Talking Therapies partner to tackle mental health stigma among over-55s
Nearly one in three adults aged 55 and over believe that feeling low or depressed is a ‘normal’ part of getting older, a perception affecting millions of people across the UK, according to new research.
The findings of the national survey undertaken by NHS Talking Therapies Kent and Medway, provided by Vita Health Group, part of Spire Healthcare, in partnership with Age UK Thanet, reveal a deeply worrying belief that risks leaving millions suffering with their mental health in silence.
The findings also suggest that older age groups are more likely to normalise feeling low or depressed, rising to 38 per cent among those aged 75-84, compared with 33 per cent of 55-64-year-olds and 28 per cent of people aged 65-74.
The research of 1,000 people aged 55 and over also paints a broader picture of concerns about ageing, with physical illness dominating worries. It found that 55 per cent fear suffering with physical ill health, 35 per cent worry about losing independence, 32 per cent are concerned about financial security, 27 per cent fear becoming a burden to others, and 22 per cent cite loneliness and disconnection.
Concerns about financial security are particularly pronounced among younger older adults, with 39 per cent of 55-64 year olds worried about finances, compared to 25 per cent of those aged 65-74, and just 10 per cent of those aged 75-84.
Despite acknowledging their concerns and worries, many older adults are reluctant to seek support for their mental health. The research suggests this is driven by longstanding social attitudes, with many minimising or silencing their emotional distress.
Nearly a third, 31 per cent, say they prefer to manage their feelings themselves, while 24 per cent feel they should cope on their own. Self-reliance appears to be highest among older age groups, with 36 per cent of those aged 75-84 saying they prefer to manage their feelings themselves, while 32 per cent of the same age group say they feel they should cope on their own.
Almost a quarter, 24 per cent, admit they would hide how they feel and put on a ‘brave face’, 23 per cent believe their problems aren’t serious enough, and 22 per cent worry about being a burden.
One respondent summed up the sentiment in an open response: “Stiff upper lip – we’re British, you know.”
Practical barriers to mental health support also persist, with almost one in ten, 9 per cent, saying they wouldn’t be able to afford help, 9 per cent being unsure where to turn for support, and 8 per cent believing it may be too late for someone their age to benefit from help to manage difficult feelings such as anxiety, low mood or depression.
The NHS Talking Therapies service is a free, confidential mental health support service for adults in the UK aged 17.5+ who are registered with a local GP. The service helps people to manage common difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression. People can refer themselves online, or ask their GP or another healthcare professional to refer them.
Gemma Sumner, Kent and Medway NHS Talking Therapies service director, said: “It’s deeply concerning, but sadly not surprising, to see how many older adults are normalising feeling low or depressed and putting their own wellbeing to one side. Too often, people feel they should just ‘get on with it’ or worry about burdening others, but that mindset can leave people struggling in silence.
“Stigma and outdated attitudes are preventing many from seeking the support they need for mental health. With physical and mental health so intrinsically linked, getting the right support can be really effective for overall wellbeing.
“We know that talking therapies can be highly effective for older adults, and you don’t have to wait until you’re in a crisis to get help. Early support can make a real difference, and it’s vital we challenge these misconceptions so people feel able to reach out when they need it.”
Kent and Medway NHS Talking Therapies and Age UK have partnered to provide wrap-around mental health support for people aged 55+.
The befriending service provides free weekly telephone calls, offering regular contact with a friendly, familiar voice and a safe space for someone to talk about how they are feeling, or simply have a chat, during what can often be an uncertain and isolating waiting period. The service aims to be fully holistic, offering people aged 55+ wrap-around mental health care from initial calls and signposting before the therapy begins, to calls post therapy too.
Vanessa Wood, CEO, Age UK Thanet, said: “The stigma and shame around mental health is so deeply ingrained that many people feel the need to minimise their worries and suffer in silence. But no one should have to face life’s challenges alone.
“Opening up can feel particularly daunting in later life, when people may be coping with big changes like retirement, bereavement or long-term health conditions – all of which can impact how we feel.
“Talking therapies are for everyone, no matter what the age, and we must break down the barriers that prevent many people aged 55+ from accessing professional support. Mental health does not switch off when you reach a certain age.”
For people who do access talking therapies for support, the impact can be life-changing. One individual who used NHS Talking Therapies in Kent and Medway said: “NHS Talking Therapies were incredible and they pulled me right through… They’ve got me out of that dark pit and I’m never going to go back. They helped me cope with life a lot better.
“They gave me a coping strategy and it worked, and I’ve benefited from it… I still write my journals now. If I feel low, I just write it down – don’t bottle stuff up, because help is out there.
“Whether it takes a year, six months, six weeks, it doesn’t matter. You’ll get there. In the end, there’s a light in every tunnel. Talking therapies are for everyone.”
