BRIGHT

BRIGHT is our community programme designed to support seniors who may be experiencing early signs of depression or anxiety. The programme aims to intervene early, helping older adults develop better mental health awareness and confidence to manage both their physical and mental wellbeing. 

Why BRIGHT matters?

As more people in Singapore grow older, their mental health is just as important as their physical health. We often hear about illnesses like dementia, but problems such as depression and anxiety in seniors are just as common and are often overlooked. These issues can make daily life harder, affect overall health, and lead to more doctor visits than necessary. Depression can also raise the risk of developing dementia later in life.

Many older adults in our community experience mild feelings of sadness, worry, or stress. Even though these feelings may not seem serious, they can still affect how seniors feel and function in their everyday lives.

Our Goals

To help older adults understand mental health better and feel more confident managing their physical and mental wellbeing, focusing on three key areas: 

1. Raising Awareness: Help seniors recognise the signs of depression and anxiety, particularly those who may be at higher risk in our North-East community.
2. Building Skills: Equip seniors at risk with skills to prevent onset of depression and anxiety (E.g. personal growth strategies, social skills).
3. Connected to Resources: Seniors are able to learn and navigate the healthcare and social care system more proficiently with the resources available in the community.

BRIGHT Programme details

BRIGHT programme is targeted at older adults in the community with mild symtopms of depression or anxiety. Using group coaching model, the programmme brings together seniors in a supportive, social environment.

It helps to promote mental health and wellbeing through education, self-reflection, and sharing memories, whilst building positive social connections in a group setting. Our psychologists and social workers conduct interactive sessions that combine learning with activities like discussions, sharing, crafts, and role‑play to strengthen resilience and self‑confidence.

It will focus on promoting mental health and well-being through psycho-education, self-reflection work and reminiscence therapy while leveraging the positive benefits of social connection amongst seniors within a group-based therapy setting. The group sessions will be designed to combine both didactic and experiential modalities facilitated by Psychologists and Social Workers. This includes discussions, reflection and sharing, crafts and role play (including possibly forum theatre) along the themes of resilience building and personal empowerment.

Who can join BRIGHT?

Seniors aged 65 and above who live in the community and may be experiencing early signs of depression or anxiety is eligible for this programme. This includes seniors who have been identified as high risk through other community programmes or health screenings.

Through BRIGHT, we aim to help participants: 

• Reduce the likelihood of developing more serious depression or anxiety 
• Gain confidence in asking the right health questions 
• Improve their ability to manage both physical and mental health independently 
• Reduce unnecessary healthcare visits through better self-management
• Feel more empowered and informed about their health choices 

Our ultimate goal is to move beyond simply treating illness to actively promoting health, providing reassuring and informed care, and empowering seniors to take charge of their own wellbeing. 

Interested to join BRIGHT? 

If you're interested in learning more about the BRIGHT programme or would like to register your interest, please contact us: 

Hotline: (65) 6930-4097 
Email: cherlyn.lim.w.y@skh.com.sg 

We're here to support you on your journey to better mental health and wellbeing.