Nothing has brought me relief quite like this program did.
I have gained so many skills that I can use on my own, ways to manage my life.
Do More, Feel Better (DMFB) is a self-management program where older adults are trained to encourage older adults with depression to become more active doing activities they value and enjoy. DMFB was developed as a research project testing the effectiveness of behavioral activation delivered by lay health coaches compared to clinicians, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH124975). It is a collaborative project with Dr. Jo Anne Sirey at Weill Cornell Medicine and Dr. Amber Gum at University of South Florida. This project, launched in 2021, partners with senior centers in the U.S. to provide services to their members and broader community. The project expanded in 2023 to serve monolingual Spanish speakers and meet the mental health needs of this population.
I really connected with my coach, she kept me focused but was also warm and encouraging.
Helped me think about what I enjoy doing and to focus on what is pleasing.
Do More, Feel Better has engaged English- and Spanish-speaking older adult participants across three cities. The team has presented findings at several scientific conferences and has published in peer-reviewed scientific journals (see the Publications page). We continue to analyze our data and disseminate our findings. Do More, Feel Better has also been featured prominently in several media outlets such as the Seattle Times and National Public Radio (see links below).
The Do More, Feel Better team is currently planning for studies on how best to implement Do More, Feel Better by supporting champions at senior centers or other aging service organizations across the country. Please contact us at praue@uw.edu if you would like to hear more!
This course was the best thing that has ever happened to me!
Hear from participants and coaches
Do More, Feel Better participants and lay health coaches share their experiences in their own words.
“This has all been building blocks and you take a step at a time.”
“Find something you like, you enjoy, and do it.”
“I felt needed and I felt that I could respond to that need.”
In the media
- NCOA: Peer Mental Health Program Showing Promise Among Older Adults
- Seattle Times (PDF): UW program tries unique approach to help older adults with depression
- Here & Now, WBUR: How to help seniors experiencing mental health issues
- Spectrum Bay News 9: Research shows peer coaching effective intervention for seniors with depression
- WUSF: Can older adults treat depression in their peers? USF researchers want to find out
See DMFB in action
Our collaborators in Lima, Peru shared this video about delivering Do More, Feel Better with promotores de salud (community health workers) to support older adults in their homes and communities.