Promotion

Examples of good practice
OLDER PEOPLE: THE RETIREMENT YEARS 201
Box 7.8 Common factors of policies and strategies intended to promote mental health
and well-being among older people
1 Based on:
• demographic trends;
• current research evidence and good practice;
• population forecasts;
• political will;
• social determinants of mental health.
2 Mostly concerned with:
• prevention of mental ill health/mental illness;
• support for older people with mental health problems;
• a wider policy/strategy on mental health or ageing.
3 Major gaps:
• policies and strategies that focus on mental health promotion for older people
rather than singly on the prevention of mental ill health.
There are of course many examples of ‘good practice’ that have been based on ‘longterm
experience and a well-based gut feeling’ (Cattan 2002a: 218), rather than necessarily
on theory or research evidence. Several attempts have been made to collect and
disseminate such information without making claims about comprehensiveness (see
for example Cattan 2002b; Berkels et al. 2004; Seymour and Gale 2004).
Awareness raising:
Pyramid Theatre Company, UK (theatre in health education, see:
www.pyramidtheatrecompany.co.uk/pyramid)
‘Who’s Helen?’ is a one act, one person play which has toured the UK for several years.
The aims of the play are to illustrate the problems of loneliness in old age and ensuing
concerns, fears and frustrations; to generate empathy and understanding of the problems;
to act as a catalyst for subsequent discussion; and to provide information about
local services and activities (Liverpool City Council 2004). The story raises issues around
depression; loneliness; fear of being taken into care; the value of friends; and the
adjustment to a new role in life. Following the play a hot-seating session takes place
where the audience is invited to ask questions of Helen. Workshops frequently follow
the question–answer session, which enable the issues to be explored further. The play
has been used successfully with older people, service providers and with younger audiences.
Interestingly, the questions raised by these groups are quite different. For
example, older people frequently ask if Helen ever contemplated suicide, while service
providers mainly ask about practical matters and service provision.