Educação em saúde para promoção da saúde mental e autocuidado de idosos da Universidade da Maturidade do Polo de Porto Nacional - TO

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the impact of educational interventions on mental health in promoting self-care engagement among elderly students enrolled in the Universidade da Maturidade (UMA) at the Porto Nacional campus, Tocantins, Brazil. Adopting a quasi- experimental, quantitative design, validated instruments (ASA-A and MHLS scales) were applied before and after five thematic classes focused on mental health and self-care. The sample consisted of 36 older adults, predominantly women (93%), Black or Brown (77.8%), mostly over 55 years old (56%) and with low income. The educational sessions addressed topics such as common mental disorders in old age, the power of hugging and smiling, and the development of individualized self-care plans. After the interventions, there was a significant increase of +70.9 points in the Mental Health Literacy Scale (from 62.0 to 132.9) and +35.2 points in the Self-Care Ability Scale (ASA-A) (from 60.2 to 95.4), showing substantial improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and self-care practices. The results demonstrated that the participatory and affective methodology effectively promoted autonomy, reduced stigma around mental health, and fostered active aging. Data analysis also revealed high satisfaction with the activities, strong content comprehension, and strengthened interpersonal bonds. It is concluded that educational interventions tailored to the sociocultural context and specific needs of the elderly are powerful strategies for promoting mental health and self-care, and their expansion in public health and education policies is recommended. This study also proposes a replicable intervention model with potential applicability in other community and academic settings.s.