A research project by the Northern Initiative for Social Action (NISA) seeks to shed light on the mental health of older adults in the community.
The project was built to examine the social issues facing older adults and develop or change community services to meet their needs.
With funding from Health Canada, the Older Adult Peer Support Program (OAPS) at NISA was able to introduce the Older Adults Participatory Action Research Project, titled “Older Adult Monologue Series”.
The Older Adult Peer Support Program is a free, confidential peer support service specifically for older adults (aged 55+) living within the Greater Sudbury area who are experiencing mental health challenges or struggling with loneliness, social isolation or grief and loss.
The purpose of the project was to work in collaboration with older adults to highlight challenges they face and create awareness and social change.
“The Older Adults Participatory Action Research Project is an important step in giving older adults the opportunity to voice their concerns on issues that affect their lives,” stated Tanya Quesnel, Older Adult Program Researcher, in a release from NISA.
The participant researchers of the project chose to create a series of monologues on a variety of different topics affecting older adults including the benefits of a guaranteed annual income, affordable housing and health care, ageism, spirituality, the effects of COVID-19 on mental health and loneliness.
In order to raise awareness about this project and shed light on these important social issues, the participant researchers have asked that their monologues be shared within the wider community. The monologue series can be viewed here or by going to YouTube, with the video found here.
Some of the concerns and experiences shared by the older adult participant researchers included:
- Challenges associated with finding affordable and accessible housing
- Inadequate health care coverage for individuals on ODSP
- The need for guaranteed annual income for older adults
- The need for increased support systems and outreach to combat loneliness and assist individuals in accessing information and resources
"Involvement in the creation of the monologues was an instructive experience for me. It was an opportunity to gather my thoughts and deliver a message of importance on video,” stated Marek Krasuski, an older adult participant and researcher for the project. “This project provided a platform for community members with lived experience to share the impact of inadequate programs that undermine well-being. Legislators, policy makers and the wider public will benefit by viewing these first person accounts on the many challenges faced by older adults in our communities.”
NISA, located at 36 Elgin St., is a peer-run recovery-oriented mental health organization which is committed to further developing skills and talents as well as nurturing self-confidence and providing resources for recovery by creating opportunities for our members to contribute to their own well-being and that of their community.
For more information about NISA, peer support, or programming schedules, please visit NISA.on.ca, or call 705-222-6472.
