Skills for Wellness

Launched by NOVA SCOTIA HEALTH AUTHORITY · Nov 4, 2013

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Skills for Wellness" clinical trial is studying a new way to help young people who might be at risk of developing serious mental health issues like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression. Researchers believe that by identifying early warning signs—like anxiety, unusual experiences with hearing or seeing things, and sudden mood changes—they can provide support before these conditions fully develop. The goal is to teach these young people and their families skills to manage these early signs, which could help prevent the onset of severe mental illness and lead to healthier, happier lives.

To participate in this study, young people aged 9 to 21 who have shown signs of these early warning factors may be eligible. However, those who already have a diagnosis of a severe mental illness or have received extensive therapy in the past year cannot join. Participants can expect to learn self-management skills and receive training for their parents, all aimed at improving their well-being. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and everyone, regardless of gender, is welcome to apply.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • FORBOW (Families Overcoming Risks and Building Opportunities for Well-Being) participant between 9-21 years old
• • Meet criteria for one or more antecedents (psychotic like experience, basic symptoms, anxiety or affective lability)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of severe mental illness (schizophrenia, other psychotic disorder, bipolar disorder, severe major depressive disorder)
• • More than 3 sessions of structured psychological therapy in the past 12 months
• • Insufficient understanding of the English language to benefit from the intervention