Does a child have to have a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder or depressive disorder to participate?

Youth do not need a diagnosis of a disorder. They simply need to have elevations in anxiety, stress, or depression.

What would make a child not eligible to participate?

Children would NOT be eligible if they have a developmental delay or suspected autism, cannot speak or read English, are suicidal or experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia or another psychotic disorders, have behavioral issues that would interfere in their ability to follow directions or participate in a group, have an eating disorder with health-related complications, or are not on a stable dose of medication. This is because the program may not address the needs of these youth.

What does the program involve?

• • To determine if your child is eligible for this study:
    • Parents will be asked to complete a 10-15 minute survey.
    • If eligible, your child will be asked to complete a 20-minute survey.
    • Once completed, we will schedule a 90-minute interview with the child (and potentially the parent if the family would like the parent to be present).  We are happy to do the interview in-person or virtually over Zoom.

• Your child is eligible. What’s next?

• • • Your child will be randomly assigned to one of the three arts groups: improv, improv plus wellness skills, or a social crafts groups.
    • This group will meet for nine weeks for 90-minute sessions.

• What happens after the nine weeks?

• • We will ask that you and your child complete a second pair of surveys and schedule another interview with you and your child to ask about the child’s mental health symptoms.
  • We will ask your family to complete surveys again three months after the completion of the group.

What is the cost of the program?

The program is free of charge. It is being offered as part of a research study.

Will we be paid for participating?

Your family will be compensated for your time after completion of each assessment  (before starting the group, at the end of the 9 weeks of the group and 3 months later). Each time you will receive a $30 Target gift card. We require you to complete the interviews and surveys to receive this gift card.

What is improv?

Improv involves being spontaneous and in-the-moment and interacting with others, experiences that youth with anxiety, worries, and depression struggle with. Improv can include working together through movements and non-verbal skills but also through creating scenes together.

In this program there is an improv group and an improv + wellness skills group.

What wellness skills are in the improv plus wellness skills group?

This group uses techniques that have been shown to be helpful in reducing negative mood, including relaxation, facing fears, mindfulness, and recognizing one’s negative thoughts, evaluating their accuracy, and modifying them to be more accurate.

What does the social craft group involve?

In the social crafts group, youth will get to be creative, connect with others, and use art as a form of creative and emotional expression. Youth will get to know each other and work through the craft projects together.

Is this therapy?

This does not constitute therapy. Groups are implemented by undergraduate or graduate students, not licensed therapists or psychologists. As such, it is important to note that this should not be considered “therapy” or an “intervention.” It should not replace treatment for youth who require a higher level of treatment. Rather, it can be considered a supplementary or preventative group that can help youth manage feelings of anxiety or depression.

Who administers the sessions?

Sessions are administered by Case Western Reserve University students. Those who lead improv groups will have substantial improv experience. All group leaders will be trained in the administration of the program exercises.

What COVID-19 safety procedures are in place?

Participants will be asked not to attend the group sessions if they have tested positive for COVID-19.