Enhancing Brain And Mental Health Through Breathing Practice

Enhancing Brain And Mental Health Through Breathing Practice: Clinical Applications In Rural Adolescents With Psychiatric Symptoms (Breathing Study -Adolescent)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a structured breathing intervention in rural and non-rural adolescents diagnosed with anxiety and depression, recruited from outpatient pediatric and child/adolescent psychiatry clinics.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who have been diagnosed with a major depressive disorder (mild or moderate) and/or an anxiety disorder.
• Participants may have co-occurring mild to moderate alcohol or drug use problems, provided these do not require immediate specialized treatment or crisis intervention.
• All participants must be receiving care at one of two participating MCHS outpatient psychiatry clinics and may reside in rural area (RUCA code 4-10) or non-rural area.
• Participants must be able to read and understand English, and both parental or guardian consent and adolescent assent will be required.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current suicidal ideation or self-harm behavior requiring immediate clinical intervention
• Presence of severe psychiatric comorbidities such as psychosis, bipolar disorder, depression with psychotic features, severe alcohol and drug use, or eating disorders.
• Participants with significant cognitive impairment that would interfere with study participation.