Developing a visual arts-based programme to prevent anxiety and depression among school children

A new survey to help design a visual art-based programme aiming to prevent anxiety and depression among 11-12 year olds has been launched by University of Bristol researchers. The survey is aimed at secondary school art teachers and staff who support mental health in secondary schools.

The ‘Create for Confidence’ project explores whether it is possible to co-create a successful and sustainable art-based programme to help prevent anxiety and depression in school children.

Anxiety and depression often develop in adolescence. Most young people with anxiety and depression don’t receive treatment and, if they do, it isn’t always effective.

Evidence suggests that engaging in art can reduce stress, increase emotion regulation and self-esteem – which are linked to resilience to anxiety and depression.

School-based prevention programmes have the potential to reduce anxiety and depression in large numbers of young people. Most programmes are delivered by external providers or school staff who don’t receive adequate support and training. This limits their sustainability.

To make prevention programmes more feasible and sustainable in schools, they need to be developed with school staff and pupils, making use of teachers’ subject-specific expertise. For example, art teachers and mental health support staff could support the therapeutic use of art.

Create for Confidence is led by Dr Naomi Warne, a Prudence Trust and Elizabeth Blackwell Institute Fellow. She will work with young people, parents, school staff, researchers, art therapists and mental health professionals to:

• Explore experiences of school staff supporting student mental health and assess barriers and facilitators for an art-based prevention programme in schools
• Co-develop a novel art-based programme aimed at preventing anxiety and depression in school children
• Provide preliminary evidence on whether the art programme can be implemented in schools

For the first part of the project, Naomi and team want to hear from secondary school art teachers and staff who support mental health in secondary schools. They want to hear your views on what an art programme to prevent anxiety and depression could look like through:

• An online survey that takes approximately 30 minutes (£10 voucher payment), and/or
• A video or phone interview lasting up to 1 hour (£25 voucher payment)

Please register your interest at https://socs.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/registration-of-interest-for-school-staff.