OPTIMALISASI DETEKSI DINI DEPRESI MELALUI PEMERIKSAAN KESEHATAN MENTAL PADA LANSIA

Depression in the elderly has become a significant mental health issue both globally and nationally, with a prevalence reaching 20% worldwide according to WHO 2017 and 6.5-8.9% in Indonesia based on Riskesdas 2018. This community service activity aims to optimize early detection of depression through mental health screenings using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), followed by educational counseling for 60 elderly individuals at the Tresna Werdha Social Home (PSTW) in Jakarta to provide practical solutions in the form of increased awareness and reduced risk of depression. The method includes educational counseling on depression symptoms, prevention, and psychosocial support, complemented by screening and interviews: the results showed that 97% (58 respondents) were not depressed (normal), while 3% (2 respondents) experiencedmild to severe depression; with a direct impact of increasing respondents' knowledge by up to 85% after the education. This activity represents the optimization of community service with a focus on practical implementation and tangible benefits for the partners.