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Survey of over-50s women finds almost two in three struggle with mental health

Par :Denis Campbell Health policy editor

29 janvier 2026 à 08:00

Of those affected by midlife challenges such as menopause, nine in 10 do not seek help, therapists’ organisation says

Almost two in three women over 50 in the UK struggle with their mental health as they deal with menopause, relationship breakdowns and changes to their appearance, a survey has found.

Brain fog, parents dying, children leaving home and financial pressures can also trigger difficulties such as sleeping problems, feeling anxious or overwhelmed, and a loss of zest for life.

Seven out of 10 UK mothers feel overloaded, research reveals

The Guardian

Par :Denis Campbell Health policy editor

28 janvier 2026 à 01:01

Study also says almost half have a mental health issue such as anxiety or depression

How bad is maternal health in Europe, and how can we fix it?

Seven out of 10 mothers in the UK feel overloaded and almost half have a mental health issue such as anxiety or depression, new research has revealed.

The survey of mothers’ experiences in 12 European countries also found that most of those in Britain still do the majority of household tasks and caregiving work alone, and that the UK was among the worst for motherhood disadvantaging a woman’s career.

71% of UK mothers feel overloaded – 4% more than the 67% European average

47% of UK mothers suffer from mental health issues, including burnout, compared with 50% in Europe as a whole

31% of UK respondents felt motherhood had a negative effect on their career, higher than the 27% average, with Ireland the highest on 36%