There is a growing body of research into the science of wellbeing, with well-supported theories and related interventions. Nonetheless, older adults with serious mental health conditions continue to face decreased rates of wellbeing, increased feelings of isolation and loneliness, and lower life satisfaction overall. Can the good news from the world of wellbeing change those negative outcomes? This presentation describes the development and delivery of a wellbeing course, designed with certified older adult peer specialists, and delivered to older adults in a psychosocial clubhouse. Findings around acceptability and feasibility in the clubhouse setting, challenges for ongoing research, and the wellbeing-enhancing context of a clubhouse, will be discussed.

Lydia P. Ogden, PhD, MSW, LICSW is an Associate Professor at Salem State University School of Social Work and a Research Affiliate at Simmons University School of Social Work. Her research focuses on understanding the lives and potential of older adults living with serious mental health conditions. To that end, she has collected and analyzed life history narratives from this population, using findings to amplify their voices within scholarly literature and make recommendations for social work practice and policy grounded in lived experiences.