Older people
BACP priority workstream

Older people's mental health is often overlooked, with much depression and anxiety in older adults across the UK unrecognised, undiagnosed and untreated. Exploring the role of counselling in improving the lives of older people, and promoting the value of talking therapies to this group, is a priority for BACP.

Latest news

More news about older people

Research shows that the likelihood of being prescribed medication and not referred to therapy increases with age.

We believe that age should not be a barrier to receiving treatment and support whenever it is needed and that’s why we have developed our older people strategy.

Working with BACP members, a range of partner organisations and across the full range of BACP functions, we are exploring ways to:

1. increase the numbers of older people who access therapy

2. increase the availability and provision of counselling to older people

We’re taking a broad view of the definition of ‘older people’ and are focusing on the life events and transitions that happen more frequently (though not exclusively) to people aged 50 plus. This covers a large number of issues, age-ranges and experiences, including long-term conditions, end of life and bereavement.