31% adults aged 55+ write off feeling low or depressed as a ‘normal’ part of ageing – leaving millions suffering in silence 

31% adults aged 55+ write off feeling low or depressed as a ‘normal’ part of ageing – leaving millions suffering in silence 

• Urgent need to tackle mental health stigma and improve access to support for 55+ 

• Physical illness, loss of independence and financial security rank as top concerns  

• Suppressing and minimising emotions normalised for many 

• 31% prefer to manage their own feelings and 24% feel they should cope alone. 

Nearly one in three (31%) 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% among those aged 75-84, compared with 33% of 55-64-year-olds and 28% of people aged 65-74. 

What concerns 55+ most about ageing? 

The research of 1,000 people aged 55 and over also paints a broader picture of concerns about ageing, with physical illness dominating worries: 

1. 55% fear suffering with physical ill health 
2. 35% worry about losing independence 
3. 32% are concerned about financial security 
4. 27% fear becoming a burden to others 
5. 22% cite loneliness and disconnection. 

Concerns about financial security are particularly pronounced among younger older adults, with 39% of 55-64 year olds worried about finances, compared to 25% of those aged 65-74, and just 10% of those aged 75-84. 

What stops people from getting help from a GP or therapist? 

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%) say they prefer to manage their feelings themselves, while 24% feel they should cope on their own. Self-reliance appears to be highest among older age groups, with 36% of those aged 75-84 saying they prefer to manage their feelings themselves, while 32% of the same age group say they feel they should cope on their own. 

Almost a quarter (24%) admit they would hide how they feel and put on a ‘brave face’, 23% believe their problems aren’t serious enough, and 22% 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%) saying they wouldn’t be able to afford help, 9% being unsure where to turn for support, and 8% 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.  

NHS Talking Therapies are available to all  

The NHS Talking Therapies service is a free, confidential mental health support 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.” 

A partnership providing vital support 

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.” 

Real experiences highlight the positive impact  

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.” 

-ENDS-  

Notes to editors 

Survey methodology: National representative survey of 1,000 UK adults age 55+ conducted by Censuswide, March 2026. 

About the NHS Talking Therapies Kent and Medway and Age UK partnership 

Waiting to begin therapy can feel like a long and uncertain journey. To make sure adults aged 55 and over feel supported during this time, Kent and Medway Talking Therapies has partnered with Age UK to offer extra help while you wait. Find out more about the befriending service: www.kmtalkingtherapies.co.uk/getting-support/age-uk 

About NHS Talking Therapies Kent and Medway – provided by Vita Health Group (part of Spire Healthcare) and With You.  

NHS Talking Therapies in Kent and Medway provides free, confidential mental health support for adults aged 17.5 and over who are registered with a local GP. We help people manage common difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression, and make it easy to access support through self-referral. 

www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/nhs-talking-therapies/kent-medway/ 

About Age UK Thanet 

Age UK Thanet is an independent local charity. Previously we were known as Margate Age Concern, becoming Age UK Thanet in 2012 and Age UK Thanet Ltd in 2013. We provide services and companionship to all people over 50 years of age, and our mission and vision is to improve later life for everyone in the Thanet Area. 

www.ageuk.org.uk/thanet/ 

About Age UK 

Age UK is the country’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s are the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging and, at Age UK, we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable, and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life and protect the long-term interests of future generations. Together, we can create a world where everyone can love later life. 

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/