TAMPA, Fla. — New research underway at the University of South Florida (USF) shows one of the most effective ways to help senior citizens become more active is through peer coaching.

The Do More, Feel Better program is part of a research project being run by USF psychology professor Dr. Amber Gum, in partnership with the University of Washington. The five-year study is being funded through grant money from the National Institute of Mental Health and will examine the effects of peer coaching as an intervention for seniors showing signs of depression.

Gum said the study is based on a decades-old treatment for depression called behavior activation. But instead of using licensed therapists, the program enlists older volunteer coaches who are trained to help encourage their peers to become more involved in activities.

“We’ve seen clients become more active,” said Gum. “Doing things that are important to them and that they enjoy doing.”

Gum believes these early findings couldn’t come at a better time. Mental Health America released a report this summer showing only one mental health provider for every 350 people in the United States. The report also shows Florida ranked 46th in the nation when it comes to access to mental health care.

“There aren’t enough therapists,” said Gum. “Why not use a resource that we have when there is not enough of another resource?”

Tampa resident and Air Force veteran Richard Cockburn is one of the study’s participants.

“I was in the Air Force and I was a radar navigator bombardier on the B52,” Cockburn said. “I became a target study officer and that included looking at pictures and videos of previous bomb drops in desert storm. I saw the results of all that and I developed PTSD. Back in 1991, that wasn’t even on our radar.”

For years, Cockburn said he suffered in silence and later on in life, found himself spending most of his time indoors, unmotivated and depressed. Through Hillsborough County Aging Services, the organization connecting seniors to the Do More, Feel Better program, Cockburn said he got involved in peer coaching that changed his life.

“Doing makes me feel better and for so long I didn’t,” Cockburn said. “And I wallowed in depression.”

Now, the 68-year-old is an avid gardener and active member of his church. He is also spending more quality time with his family.

Cockburn credits his coach, Anid Rubio, with motivating him. Sixty-one-year-old Rubio said she was approached by leaders at the Brandon Senior Center, suggesting she become a coach. Rubio said she excitedly welcomed the opportunity.

“I try to connect to them. I try to find the things that they used to like the most,” Rubio said of her coaching style. “The things that they forgot. The things that brought a smile to their faces.”

Mary Jo McKay, Hillsborough County Aging Services’ nutrition and wellness manager, said staff sees firsthand the need for other avenues of mental health care.  

“Sometimes there are funding issues. They don’t have the right resources to access the counselors,” McKay said. “And now more than ever, there’s a huge waiting list to get in to a mental health counselor.”

The Do More, Feel Better program is looking for more participants. The program is also enrolling Spanish speaking coaches and clients for a newly launched portion of the study. Those who are interested in either role can contact Hillsborough County Aging services through their website or by calling 813-272-5250.