On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, the Red Cross of Serbia and PIN (Psychosocial Innovation Network) organized a panel discussion Caring for mental health as an integral part of healthy aging on Thursday, October 20, 2022, in the Ceremonial Hall of the Red Cross of Serbia.

The following speakers participated in the panel discussion: Nataša Todorović, Red Cross of Serbia, Borka Jeremić, UNFPA Serbia, Dr. Aleksandra Milićević Kalašić, Institute for Geriatrics and Palliative Care; Faculty of Media and Communications, Singidunum University, Vice President of the Commission for Health Activities of the Red Cross of Serbia, Irena Stojadinović, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade; PIN - Psychosocial Innovation Network, Jana Dimoski, PIN - Psychosocial Innovation Network; Laboratory for Research on Individual Differences, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Jovana Uglješić, Centre for Social Welfare Sremska Mitrovica and Nevenka Bogdanović, Red Cross Kragujevac.

The panel discussion presented the results of the research “Depression in older persons in Serbia: protective and risk factors”, as well as successful interventions to improve the mental health of older persons. In the research conducted during August 2022, 225 older persons participated and showed that one third of the respondents in the examined sample (32%) had clinically indicative symptoms of depression.

The Centre for Social Welfare presented the intervention carried out by PIN in Sremska Mitrovica, and the Red Cross of Kragujevac presented its several successful interventions in the field of improving the mental health of older persons.

This panel discussion is the last event within the 2nd Belgrade Mental Health Festival organized by the Movement for Mental Health.