Peja, October 17, 2025 – In the framework of the International Mental Health Day, Syri i Vizionit organized a roundtable discussion on mental health in the third age, where participants shared their experiences and ideas for improving the emotional, physical and social well-being of the elderly.
Members of the Pensioners’ Association and participants from the community emphasized the positive impact of the activities of the AGE+ project “Through the various activities offered by the AGE+ project, we strengthen memory, maintain mental health and have the opportunity to actively socialize. These activities make us feel valued and better connected to institutions and the community, giving our daily lives a more important dimension.”
Mental health professionals, representatives of local institutions, non-governmental organizations and members of the Third Age Council participated in the roundtable. The discussions focused on the challenges faced by the elderly, such as loneliness, lack of family support, dementia and anxiety, as well as the importance of social and intergenerational activity for their well-being.
The Director of the Mental Health Center in Peja, Dr. Nystret Pepa, said that “Mental health problems do not only appear in old age, disorders often start early and affect the quality of life, therefore, ongoing care and activities that stimulate memory and social function are necessary.”
Dr. Arieta Musliqi and Dr. Islam Husaj pointed out the importance of home visits and ongoing support for the elderly who live alone and have chronic illnesses, as well as the need for better coordination between institutions for the identification and provision of quality services.
Participants agreed that involving older people in social activities, intergenerational cooperation and creating friendly spaces help maintain respect for them and combat loneliness and social isolation, which directly affects mental health.
The roundtable was held within the framework of the program “Building Age-Friendly Communities through Intergenerational Action in Kosovo – AGE + project”, funded by Volkshilfe Österreich and the Austrian Development Agency – ADA, and implemented by Syri i Vizionit.
