In Tarrant County, adults 65 and older have the highest rate of suicide mortality of any age group, with 19.9 deaths per 100,000 people, according to 2022 data. To address this issue, the Women’s Center of Tarrant County is offering a free program called PEARLS, which stands for Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives.

How PEARLS Works

PEARLS offers older adults individualized coaching to help them become more involved in their communities and improve their mental health. The program starts with an assessment to determine if it’s a good fit for the participant. Then, a coach works with the participant to set goals to address their sadness or isolation, including one social, one physical, and one for pleasure.

Participants also attend monthly gatherings, called PEARLS Connect, where they can share their experiences, play games, and enjoy snacks and company. The gatherings are designed to foster bonds and fight depression, and they seem to be working: 97% of participants see an average improvement of 87% in their symptoms after completing the program.

Success Stories

One participant, Romona Dunlap, joined PEARLS while recovering from a difficult period of caring for her mother. With the help of her coach, she was able to set goals and work towards them, and she eventually found herself feeling more comfortable and confident. Another participant, who was referred to the program by his daughter after his wife passed away, was able to get out of his house and start enjoying life again.

Despite its success, the program is facing funding challenges. The Women’s Center received nearly $200,000 for the program last year, but this year, they received only $25,000. This has forced the center to let go of a coach and a case manager, and the remaining coaches are having to cover more ground.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.