The main goal of the project was to equip adult educators, working with seniors, with methodological material about use of MBAT in order to improve 65+ learners' mental health in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. Also we provided seniors with an easily accessible and easy-to-use tool on how to use MBAT in every-day life. The objectives of the project were the following: 1. To create tailor-made MBAT training package for adult educators and seniors available on e-learning platform, Android and iOS mobile app. 2. To improve mental health and well-being of seniors. 3. To promote circular economy among adult educators, seniors and stakeholders. 4. To create international network of adult education organisations working with MBAT. Target group of the project - adult educators (geriatric psychologists and nurses, social workers caring elderlies in care homes and daily centers, lecturers, coaches in the Third Age Universities, adult education centers, art therapists, providing educational and psychological help services for seniors, etc). Beneficiaries - seniors aged 65+. Our project has no intention to copy Dr. Laury Rappaport's original MBAT version, however we've adapted this approach in order to meet European conditions.
Population of Europe is ageing rapidly. The average age of Europeans is already highest in the world, and proportion of people aged 65+ is forecast to increase from 14% in 2010 to 25% in 2050 (WHO data). Although people are living longer, but not everyone has a good quality of life in old age because of physical and mental health. On 11 March 2020, the WHO declared the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a pandemic, which significantly contributed to the worsening of physical and mental health of seniors. The newest research states that 1 year after declaration of pandemic there is strong evidence that social isolation has caused older people to feel lonely, which in turn has led to increased mortality, cardiovascular disease, depression and anxiety. Research have also shown that psychological therapies are one of the most effective means of overcoming the consequences of isolation for human psychological health. Mindfulness Based Art Therapy (MBAT) is a new method of psychological intervention first proposed by Dr. Laury Rappaport in the US in 2009. Practitioners of MBAT are of the opinion that this method greatly benefits patients participating in therapy and helps to cope with depression, anxiety and stress.