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This article was reviewed by experts at MindSpot.
Mental wellbeing is when you feel good about life. This means having a sense of purpose and activities and relationships you enjoy. It also means taking care of yourself and the things you love, even when life gets hard.
There's no age limit to feeling well, and finding support is easier than ever.
That's where the Wellbeing Plus Course comes in. This free online program is designed for older people in Australia aged 60 and over.
It can teach you how to:
- Notice unhelpful thoughts
- Understand signs of anxiety and depression
- Face tough situations with confidence
- Feel well now and into the future
Who it’s for
Designed by the digital health clinic MindSpot, the Wellbeing Plus Course is for people who:
- Are aged 60 or older
- Live in Australia
- Experience signs of low mood, depression, stress, general worry, panic attacks, or social anxiety
- Have a spare 4 hours per week to progress through the course and practise what they learn
Important: If you're having thoughts of suicide, please seek help right away. This course isn't designed to provide the support you need.
What to expect
Getting started
Getting started is simple. Here's how it works:
- Complete MindSpot's free online psychological assessment. It only takes 20–30 minutes and can be done from the comfort of your home. It looks at how you feel in your mind and body, and how these feelings impact your daily life.
- A MindSpot therapist will contact you to talk about your results and make sure the course is right for you.
- Once you're accepted, the course runs for 8 weeks and has 5 lessons to complete. There's no set schedule, so you can work through the content whenever it's easiest for you.
- You can also check in with a MindSpot therapist once a week for support, or contact MindSpot as needed.
What you’ll learn
The course mirrors the work of a mental health professional.
Its purpose is to help you recognise and break free from unhelpful thought patterns. It aims to help you understand the symptoms of anxiety and depression. That's because understanding something can make it feel less scary.
You'll also learn how to manage the impact of these symptoms on your body. These skills can help you face situations you've been avoiding and continue building a life that makes you happy.
Why it works
- Backed by evidence: The course has been tested with over 500 people. It's reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression by an average of 50%.
- Tailored to people aged 60+: It understands the challenges you might be facing and helps you overcome them in ways that make sense. Participants have ranged in age from 60 to 93.
- Free and online: You'll get professional support without the price tag or travel time.
- Flexible: Progress through the course at your own pace and in your own space. You can check in with a MindSpot therapist once a week, but only if you want to.
The importance of mental wellbeing in older age
In older age, it can be hard to talk about mental health. A 2020 focus group study found that some older people hide their symptoms to protect loved ones.
But this can make it harder to feel better. Self-awareness, the ability to be honest with yourself and others, can help reduce stress. A good mind-body connection, knowing how your emotions affect your physical health, can help you manage both.
The Wellbeing Plus Course guides you in building these skills so you can thrive in your 60s and beyond.
Next steps
The Wellbeing Plus Course is ready when you are. Head to the MindSpot website HERE to start the online assessment. You could even share the link with a friend and do it together!
Would you like to learn more about finding hobbies and building relationships that make life good? Take the LiveUp quiz or call one of our team members on 1800 951 971.
References
Gautam, S., Jain, A., Chaudhary, J., Gautam, M., Gaur, M., & Grover, S. (2024). Concept of mental health and mental well-being, it's determinants and coping strategies. Indian journal of psychiatry, 66(Suppl 2), S231–S244. https://doi.org/10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_707_23
London, M., Sessa, V. I., & Shelley, L. A. (2023). Developing self-awareness: Learning processes for self- and interpersonal growth. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 10, 261–288. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-120920-044531
Rydberg Sterner, T., Dahlin-Ivanoff, S., Gudmundsson, P., Wiktorsson, S., Hed, S., Falk, H., Skoog, I., & Waern, M. (2020). ‘I wanted to talk about it, but I couldn’t’: An H70 focus group study about experiencing depression in early late life. BMC Geriatrics, 20, 467. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01908-x
How to use this information
LiveUp provides free information to help you make informed decisions about your health. This information is for general and educational purposes only, is not intended to provide a comprehensive guide, and does not replace medical advice. Everyone is different, so some of these tips may work better for you than others. You should use your own judgment and seek medical advice when applying this information to yourself, to determine if it is suitable in your circumstances. Your use of, or reliance on, this information is solely at your own risk. Independent Living Assessment Incorporated is not responsible or liable for any injury, loss, or damage caused as a result of your use of, or reliance on, this information.
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