{
  "abstract": "Background Mindfulness-based interventions are increasingly shown to improve older adults’ mental and physical wellbeing (Hmwe et al., 2024). Despite this, depression and anxiety in this group remain under-diagnosed and under-treated, with many reluctant to engage in statutory psychological services (Alkholy et al., 2022). While barriers to digital therapies are recognised (Wilson et al., 2021), little is known about the motivations behind older adults’ preference for online mindfulness over conventional healthcare.Methods We conducted a qualitative study of nine focus groups with participants of an online mindfulness course (March 2022–December 2023; 47 participants, mean age 72). Using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, five researchers collaboratively identified themes reflecting motivations and contextual experiences shaping participants’ choices.Results Participants described organisational barriers to statutory care (e.g., access difficulties, long waits, complex pathways) alongside personal barriers (e.g., stigma, discomfort discussing distress). In contrast, online mindfulness was valued for its accessibility, flexibility, and non-pharmacological approach. Participants expressed a desire to self-manage, build resilience, and take proactive control of their wellbeing. This reflects both a mistrust of traditional services and a growing cultural shift towards supported self-management.Findings highlight older adults’ clear preference for interventions that are empowering, accessible, and aligned with their values. Public health strategies should: Integrate digital mindfulness and other self-management approaches into care pathways; Address systemic and personal barriers within statutory services; and Recognise older adults’ preference for non-pharmacological options.Conclusion By centring lived experience, this study provides practical insights into how public health science can be translated into scalable, acceptable interventions. Supported self-management, such as online mindfulness, offers a realistic pathway to closing the knowledge–action gap in mental health provision for ageing populations.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Michelle Nicholson"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Janice Birrell"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Casey Lemm"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Aimee Bailey"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK",
        "Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Department, University College London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Adele Pacini"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Raechel Schoder"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Summer-Jeanne Spencer"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Annabel Stickland"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Mindfulness, The Mindful Life Group CIC, Norwich, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Gemma Hawkins"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P07-3 Bridging the gap: how supported self-management can complement statutory mental health services for older adults",
  "uid": "eeb8fe53-c5fa-51f8-89e4-a00b493a8fd7"
}