Almost two in three women aged over 50 in the UK say they are struggling with their mental health, as they cope with menopause, relationship breakdowns, bereavement and changes to their appearance, according to a new survey.
The research highlights how issues such as brain fog, parents dying, children leaving home and financial pressures can trigger anxiety, sleep problems, feeling overwhelmed and a loss of enjoyment in everyday life.
Despite the scale of the problem, the survey found what campaigners describe as an “epidemic of silence”, with almost nine in 10 women affected saying they have not sought any help.
The findings come from a survey of 2,000 women aged 50 and over across Britain, commissioned by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which represents therapists.
Dr Lisa Morrison, the organisation’s director of professional standards, policy and research, said the results were “a sobering read”.
“We know that for many women this stage in life presents a convergence of major challenges – from the menopause and other physical changes, to relationship breakdowns, caring responsibilities and empty-nest syndrome,” she said.
“What is most alarming is that a staggering nearly nine in 10 women [affected] are facing mental health struggles but feel the need to hide it. For many women over 50, midlife mental wellbeing challenges are having a devastating impact on their day-to-day lives.”
The survey, carried out by market research firm 3Gem, found that holding back from opening up often had tangible effects. Nearly six in 10 women reported trouble sleeping, 43% said they had gained or lost weight, 38% avoided social events and 28% withdrew from friendship groups. Overall, 58% said they felt more anxious and overwhelmed by issues that previously would not have affected them.
When asked why they did not talk about their mental health, respondents said they did not want to burden others, felt they had to “hold it together” for people around them, feared they would not be understood, or believed in maintaining a “stiff upper lip”.
In response, the BACP is launching a campaign urging midlife women to challenge that culture and consider therapy as a form of support.
Menopause emerged as a key factor. The BACP’s Mindometer research, based on responses from almost 3,000 therapists, has recorded a sharp rise in women seeking help for menopause-related issues, particularly anxiety.
Among women surveyed, brain fog – a common menopause symptom – was the most frequently cited pressure affecting mental wellbeing after the age of 50, followed closely by navigating menopause itself.
“Menopause can lead to symptoms such as brain fog, poor sleep and memory loss, which can make women question their own competence and abilities,” Morrison said. “Alongside this many are navigating a transition in their home lives.”
She added that grief, caring for ageing relatives, children leaving home, relationship breakdowns and financial difficulties often overlap. “A culmination of even just a couple of these issues, on top of the usual day-to-day challenges, can be enough to make women feel overstretched and unsupported.”
Janet Lindsay, chief executive of Wellbeing of Women, said hormonal changes play a major role.
“Hormonal changes during menopause can have a significant impact on women’s mental health. A culture of dismissal can leave many feeling pressured into keeping their struggles to themselves,” she said.
“Perimenopause and menopause symptoms or fluctuating oestrogen can lead to anxiety, low mood, irritability and brain fog, and without proper support, these can have a profound impact on a woman’s life and wellbeing.”
The findings echo wider concerns about mental health pressures. A separate survey published this week of 9,600 mothers across 12 European countries found that 71% of mothers in the UK felt overloaded, while 47% reported mental health challenges such as depression and burnout.