Pensioners are reluctant to seek mental health treatment because they believe it to be a “private matter”, a charity has warned. 

People aged 65 and older make up just 6 per cent of NHS talking-therapy patients in England, suggesting a need for more options and support for those experiencing mental health issues in later life. 

The research, published on Wednesday by elder people’s charity, Independent Age, found there were “some unique barriers” that this age group faces when it comes to accessing support for mental health problems. 

Researchers found “a number of people we heard from felt their mental health was a ‘private matter’, or they ‘didn’t want to worry anyone’ and this stopped them from talking about it”. 

“Others felt there was ‘no point’ discussing it because ‘there is nothing anyone can do’, or felt that stigma still existed.”

Another barrier was simply “a lack of awareness of talking