Healthy IDEAS (Identifying Depression, Empowering Activities for Seniors) is an evidence-based program designed to detect depression and reduce the severity of depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults.  This model program was developed as a depression self-management program through a Houston academic-community partnership led by interdisciplinary faculty at Baylor College of Medicine.

Healthy IDEAS is embedded into the ongoing assessment and care plan routine of community case management programs.  It emphasizes the active role of elders with depressive symptoms in learning about how to partner with providers and make changes to feel better.  The four evidence-based components of Healthy IDEAS are "packaged" together to overcome client, provider, and system barriers to effective depression care to older adults.  The program components are:

• Screening and assessment of depressive symptoms;
• Education for older adults and family caregivers about depression and self-care;
• Referral and linkage to healthcare and mental health professionals; and
• Behavioral activation (BA)