On a cold November morning, we arrived in the village of Viișoara, Edineț district, to meet three women who are carrying the torch of hope where, all too often, silence has choked out dialogue. Galina Spătaru, Nadejda Chitic, and Livia Guriev are community facilitators within the “Mental Health Without Barriers” project—an initiative implemented by the NGO “CASMED” with the support of the Swiss Government, through the Moldovan-Swiss MENSANA project: “Support for Mental Health Service Reform in Moldova.”

With their backpacks ready and a warm smile, the three women made their way to the Community Center, where the local seniors’ group was already waiting. Inside the hall, the tables were thoughtfully arranged with drawing sheets, watercolors, plasticine, and a colorful presentation projected onto the wall. An image of young girls picking fruit appeared on the screen. “What song springs to mind when you see this picture?” asked Ms. Galina. After a beat of silence, a gentle voice began: “The girls are going to pick blackberries. Zărzărel – zărzărel, zărzărică – zărzărea…” The melody soon filled the room, and the faces of those present brightened visibly. It was the opening step in a workday unlike any other—a day dedicated to tending to emotions through conversation, play, and shared memories.

“People don’t just come here to draw or sing. They come to feel truly heard,” shared Ms. Galina Spătaru. Following the musical moment, she handed out blank sheets of paper. “Crumple it up as tightly as you can!” – peals of laughter erupted. “Now, try to smooth it back out.” The seniors looked down at their papers and smiled. “See? Even when you smooth it out, the creases remain. It’s the same with our souls—wounds may heal, but the marks linger deep inside.” It was a simple, yet profound metaphor: emotional injuries leave their trace, but they can be understood and accepted. Each participant absorbed the meaning in their own way, and the room was filled with quiet contemplation.

Another exercise followed: fold the paper into quarters, then cut off one corner. Everyone received the identical instruction, but when they unfolded their sheets, each cut pattern was unique. “We are just like that—distinct individuals, even when we go through the same experiences,” explained Ms. Nadejda Chitic.

Ms. Livia Guriev, also a community facilitator, continued the session by distributing watercolors. “Draw something that reminds you of your childhood.” A shaky hand outlined a flower, another sketched a childhood home, and someone else a field of poppies. “I’m drawing my parents’ house. It always smelled of fresh-baked bread there,” shared one participant. Such moments, the facilitators explained, are more than just creative exercises—they are pathways for people to reconnect with their positive memories and inner equilibrium.

In a separate room, the participants gathered in chairs, forming a circle. A cognitive stimulation activity began—an interactive exercise testing attention, memory, and quick thinking. The community facilitator tossed a ball to a participant, saying a word. The catcher had to respond immediately with its opposite (“hot” – “cold”), then pass the ball on. As the game picked up speed, the room was filled with cheerful shouts and hearty laughter.

Then came the sensory box. With their eyes covered, participants took turns drawing an object from within—a dried flower, a seashell, a button, a small pebble. The facilitator prompted them to describe what the object evoked, and the answers flowed spontaneously: childhood recollections, images of the sea, moments of serenity. The activity successfully transformed small objects into emotional triggers for dialogue, creating a warm atmosphere of genuine connection among the group.

Around noon, the three community facilitators packed their bags and started walking through the village, carrying their activity materials, worksheets, and mental health leaflets. The cold air gave their cheeks a rosy flush, and the quiet of the village was broken only by their footsteps. A lady came out to her gate curiously; the facilitators offered a warm greeting, handed her a leaflet, and started a conversation. Ms. Livia gently explained that the leaflets provided information on recognizing signs of stress and how to talk openly about feelings of sadness—a silence they are committed to breaking, one conversation at a time.

At the edge of the village, a blue gate marked their next stop. Ms. Nadejda, 75, lives alone. She welcomed us with a smile, though clearly moved by the sight of unknown visitors. “Usually, it’s just the three of them who visit,” she said. “We play games, we chat, it helps me forget about my daily worries. When the ladies come, it feels like sunshine pours into the house.”

When we left Ms. Nadejda’s home, the sun was slowly descending over Viișoara’s rooftops, and the village once again seemed quiet, almost sleeping.

About the Project

The “Mental Health Without Barriers” project delivers direct psycho-emotional support to communities in the Edineț district. Its main goal is to champion mental health and emotional well-being among the elderly through art therapy activities, cognitive stimulation exercises, movement, self-expression, and socialization.

Currently, in the eight communities involved—Edineț, Fântâna Albă, Cupcini, Parcova, Viișoara, Corpaci, Fetești, and Burlănești—the community facilitators organize support groups where seniors can speak freely about loneliness, anxiety, health concerns, or aging within a safe and friendly environment.

In addition to these regular meetings, they conduct home visits for isolated individuals and run local public awareness campaigns to combat the stigma associated with mental health challenges. Through leaflets and direct engagement, people are encouraged to express their feelings, discuss their emotional states, and seek help when needed.

The project aims to directly involve 400 seniors and inform over 3,000 individuals, thereby strengthening a local network of community facilitators equipped to offer emotional support and maintain a vital link between the community and specialist services.