The main objective was to raise awareness about depression among people in late adulthood and to counteract their exclusion from the mental health discourse. The project was educational and preventive in nature – it involved the creation of materials supporting the development of resilience and enabling the recognition of signs of depression and suicidal risk. We wanted both seniors and the staff working with them to better understand the mechanisms of crisis and have specific support tools at their disposal. It was also important to create a space for talking about emotions and difficult experiences of old age, without taboos or stigmatisation. The project also aimed to strengthen the competence of staff, develop international cooperation and jointly develop a model of action that can be scaled in different local environments – including those where access to psychological help is limited.
The DeployingFuture Foundation decided to implement the project because, in its daily work with seniors, it noticed a clear lack of support in the area of mental health. The topic of depression in seniors was marginalised both in the public sphere and in institutional activities. Despite showing symptoms of depression, older people rarely received adequate help – their suffering was often downplayed as a ‘natural’ part of ageing. In addition, many seniors lacked basic knowledge about the available support options, and those around them did not have the tools to recognise crises. The project responded to the need to create accessible educational materials and practical tools for seniors and their supporters. An attempt was made to break the social silence surrounding depression in late adulthood and to design activities that would allow for a better response to suicide risks in this age group.