A FEW days ago, I took an online course about neuroplasticity and the ways we can teach our brains to build new connections that break old habits and thinking patterns. I learned we can build traits like kindness as if they are muscles, in order to become new and better people.
I had been inspired by , a new book by Jessica Schleider, the founding director of the Lab for Scalable Mental Health at Northwestern University, Illinois. She reviews a huge volume of research showing that “” (SSIs) can produce important turning points in people’s mental health, reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and disordered eating.
Advertisement
Given psychology’s famous replication crisis, I had been curious about the quality of these studies, but many were large, randomly controlled trials involving hundreds or thousands of participants. Some SSIs are delivered in person, but many are also available online.
Many of Schleider’s SSIs are primarily aimed at young people who might struggle with some of the stresses of growing up. I tried out one called , which aims to teach people about our potential for change. Over a series of case studies and exercises, I learned about our capacity to break negative thought cycles and overcome the fears that are preventing us from living a full life. As a science writer, I found much of the material was familiar. But I can imagine it would be an empowering message for someone who believes that their sadness or anxiety is an inescapable element of their make-up.
There are many other options. , for example, teaches the benefits of committing to activities in line with your core values, which can break and reverse negative thought spirals. (This is known as “behavioural activation” and it has a strong foundation in cognitive behavioural therapy.) Schleider’s lab has also designed SSIs to build self-compassion and to teach LGBTQ+ people ways to cope with the that come from others’ prejudices – both of which are linked to better mental health.
It would be ludicrous to claim SSIs are some kind of panacea for all who try them. While some may find SSIs to be as effective as more intensive therapy, many others will need greater assistance. SSIs may still be a useful starting point while those people wait to access other treatments, however, and they can also be used as a preventative tool for those who are vulnerable to mental health issues, but haven’t developed full-blown symptoms yet.
The huge advantage of SSIs is their easy accessibility. According to a , 1 in 2 people will develop a mental health condition over their lifetime. We should welcome any new approach that might relieve their symptoms.
David Robson is an award-winning science writer and the author of The Expectation Effect: How your mindset can transform your life
For other projects visit newscientist.com/maker
