Citizen science about mental health and ageing
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 RE-MEND project, Public & Science Sweden works with a citizen science initiative to address this gap. During autumn 2025, the team collected 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 citizen science project aims 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 looked for 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 RE-MEND project. They will also feed into a scientific article, a popular science report, and public presentations during 2026, 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 RE-MEND, 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 phase followed 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 the 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 was open throughout September 2025 and was completely anonymous. The results have been analysed, and a popular science report and public presentations will take place in 2026.
The project was also our Annual Citizen Science project for European Researchers’ Night, ForskarFredag, in 2005.
Study results
Two themes given particular attention in the analysis were physical activity and anxiety about societal developments and global conditions. These themes were examined in relation to contemporary individualistic messages about taking responsibility for one’s health, how worry manifests differently across life stages, and the fact that we are living in a time of major geopolitical change.
A common feature across these themes is a non-collective framing, expressed either through a focus on one’s own body or a sense of resignation toward the broader societal context.
The study suggests that there may be value in giving older people more opportunities to engage collectively and influence issues they care about and are affected by.
The project in numbers
- 118 people across the country submitted their stories
- All regions of Sweden were represented
- Significantly more women than men participated. Around 85% of the stories were from women
- The “younger old” were clearly overrepresented. About 50% were under 70, and only 5% were over 85.
Created: 06 August 2025
Last edited: 06 October 2026
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Funding
“How do older people feel good?” was carried out as part of the EU project RE-MEND, in which Public & Science Sweden is collaborating with researchers and universities across Europe to develop new knowledge on preventing mental ill health. The project also served as the 2025 ForskarFredag annual Citizen Science project, part of Sweden’s activities within European Researchers’ Night.
