BRIGHT

With a rapidly ageing population in Singapore, much attention is paid to dementia prevention, early detection and intervention. Geriatric depression and anxiety are equally important conditions with associated adverse consequences such as poorer quality of life, increased suicide risks, increased disability and inappropriate use of medical services. Depression is also a known risk factor for subsequent cognitive decline/dementia. Subsyndromal depression and anxiety in the elderly are prevalent in the community and often go undetected.

AIM OF THE PROGRAMME

To intervene early to equip older adults with improved mental health literacy and empower them with greater health confidence to self-manage physical and mental health ailments.

The intended objectives of BRIGHT programme are to:

1. Increase awareness of geriatric depression and anxiety in at-risk individuals in the northeast community
2. Equip seniors at risk with skills to prevent onset of depression and anxiety e.g. personal growth, interpersonal skills, relaxation skills
3. Equip seniors with knowledge on resources in the community and improving their ability to navigate the healthcare and social care landscape.

BRIGHT Programme details

BRIGHT programme is delivered through a group coaching programme model targeted at older adults in the community with subclinical depressive or anxiety symptoms.

Group coaching and navigational component for BRIGHT

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.

BRIGHT Target Group

Seniors (age ≥65 years old) in the community who are at-risk of depression and anxiety e.g. those who have been screened by other community programmes or partners.

As seniors gain knowledge from the BRIGHT programme, we are hoping to reduce the transition to syndromal depression/anxiety, improving health confidence to ask the right questions, improving self-efficacy to manage physical and mental health. With that, we can reduce excess healthcare utilisation and achieve the aims of moving beyond healthcare to health, providing reassuring and informed care, and empowering seniors to self-manage.

Should you be keen to register your interest in this programme, do reach out to us at DID: (65) 6930-4097 | Email: cherlyn.lim.w.y@skh.com.sg