Living Life to the Full is an eight-session, 12-hour, evidence-based mental health promotion course. It was designed to help people deal with everyday life challenges by learning better self-management skills using cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) concepts and techniques.
About the Ontario Pilot Project
The Living Life to the Full for Older Adults pilot project (October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2015) was funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care through the Healthy Communities Fund. The project was led by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, in partnership with CMHA BC, Older Adult Centres’ Association of Ontario (OACAO), Rotman Research Institute at Baycrest, and York Institute for Health Research.
The main objectives of the Living Life to the Full for Older Adults pilot project were to:
- promote positive ageing and help older adults (50+) improve personal well-being (reduce stress, anxiety and depression, boost mood, improve motivation, acquire problem-solving skills, and modify behaviours);
- build capacity within CMHA branches to deliver an evidence-informed mental health promotion program and to extend the reach of Living Life to the Full across multiple regions within Ontario, including the North;
- strengthen community partnerships between mental health service providers and agencies serving older adults;
- increase capacity for community-based research; and
- contribute to the evidence base around guided self-help interventions such as Living Life to the Full to promote mental health.
For more information about Living Life to the Full, visit www.livinglifetothefull.ca.
Ontario Pilot Evaluation Results
Living Life to the Full for Older Adults: An Ontario Pilot Study (PDF)
A 12-page infographic handout describing the Ontario pilot study and research findings.
Conference Poster (PDF)
Key findings from the Living Life to the Full with Older Adults pilot study.
Research Abstract (PDF)
Webinar: Promoting the Mental Health of Older Adults in Ontario
In this webinar, co-hosted with the Health Promotion Resource Centre at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), presenters from CAMH and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Region, examined research and best practices for mental health promotion programming for older adults/seniors. Participants learned about Best Practice Guidelines and an example of Living Life to the Full, a mental health promotion program which has applied some of these best practices.
About the Presenters
Suzanne Schwenger, Strategic Partnerships Lead, Health Nexus (Moderator)
Tamar Meyer, Supervisor, CAMH Health Promotion Resource Centre/ Opioid Resource Hub, Provincial System Support Program, CAMH
Linda Yoo, Knowledge Broker, CAMH Health Promotion Resource Centre, Provincial System Support Program, CAMH
Jenny Hardy, Project Coordinator, CMHA Ontario
Follow the conversation on Twitter: #SeniorsMentalHealth
This webinar was presented by HC Link, CAMH Health Promotion Resource Centre and CMHA Ontario.
Resources
Mental health data for Ontario older adults/seniors from the 2013 CAMH Monitor Survey
Best Practice Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion Programs: Older Adults 55+
For More Information
For more information about the Ontario pilot project, contact hroussel@ontario.cmha.ca.