The mental health of older people is an issue that is often overlooked, despite the fact that people over 65 are the age group with the highest prescription of antidepressants. Too often, discussions are shaped by preconceived notions rather than the voices of older people themselves.
As part of the EU REMEND project, Public & Science Sweden is now launching the next step in a citizen science initiative to address this gap. During autumn 2025, the team will collect stories from people aged 65 and older in Sweden about what supports their wellbeing as they age – and what challenges they face.
Listening to lived experience
The aim of the citizen science project is to highlight the perspectives of older adults on what is most important for feeling good in later life, and to identify factors that risk harming mental health. Since ageing can look very different for someone who has just retired compared to someone in their 80s or 90s, the collection seeks stories from across the spectrum of ageing.
From stories to knowledge
The collected stories will be analysed together with a reference group from senior citizen organisations. This will make it possible to identify the factors that older people themselves see as shaping their wellbeing, positively or negatively.
The findings will be used to inform other parts of the REMEND project. They will also feed into a scientific article, a popular science report, and public presentations, ensuring that the insights are shared both with researchers and with the wider public.
Building on earlier dialogues
The citizen science initiative is being conducted as part of the EU project REMEND, in which Public & Science Sweden is working with a number of different researchers and universities in Europe to develop new knowledge about the prevention of mental ill health.
This new phase follows on from three earlier science cafés on mental health among older people, hosted within REMEND. These cafés created a space for researchers and citizens to exchange experiences and perspectives. Based on the themes that emerged there, as well as conversations with experts, the focus is now on gathering stories from older adults themselves.
Although this stage of data collection focuses on people living in Sweden, the results are intended to contribute to the wider European knowledge base on ageing and mental health.
Further information
The collection of stories will be open throughout September and October 2025 and is completely anonymous. If you are living in Sweden and wish to participate, more information can be found here (in Swedish).
For more information, contact the researcher and Project Manager Elin Inge, elin.inge@vetenskapallmanhet.se
