Cinematic Therapy: Lifelong Learning and Bridging Mental Resilience

The "Cinematic Therapy: Lifelong Learning and Bridging Mental Resilience" initiative  is a specialized health and well-being project that utilizes cinematic therapy to bridge the emotional and social gap between university students and the elderly population of Sivas. Classified as a mental health event, the initiative centred on a collaborative screening and therapeutic analysis of the film The Intern at the Faculty of Communication Cinema Hall, bringing together senior students from "Renew Yourself University"—a lifelong learning platform for those aged 60+—and residents from the Sivas Nursing Home. The core idea was to use the narrative of the film as a catalyst for active aging and psychological resilience, focusing on reducing the high stress levels and social isolation often experienced by the elderly. By examining the protagonist Ben Whittaker’s journey back into the workforce, the initiative facilitated a deep dialogue on motivation and self-worth, effectively serving as a cognitive stimulant that improved the participants' mental well-being. What makes this initiative truly unique is its intersectional approach: it transcends traditional health workshops by placing seniors in an academic, youthful atmosphere, thereby fostering intergenerational empathy. This interaction acted as a "social prescription" for mental health; for the elderly, the engagement with ESN volunteers significantly lowered cortisol-inducing social anxiety and boosted serotonin through meaningful connection, while for the students, it provided a profound lesson in holistic well-being and the importance of community support systems. By integrating cinematic storytelling with real-life social integration, ESN Cumhuriyet demonstrated that mental health is preserved through a sense of belonging and that the vitality of youth and the wisdom of age are essential components of a healthy society.