Background:
Most youth mental health interventions use talk-based approaches, but these may not resonatewith all young people or cultural contexts. Pre-Texts is an arts-based literacy program that uses creativeactivities like drawing, acting, and discussion around texts to build critical thinking and social-emotional skills.This study tested whether Pre-Texts could reduce depression and anxiety.
Methods:
237 Kenyan secondary school students were randomly assigned to receive either 8 weekly Pre-Textssessions or a control condition. In Pre-Texts, trained facilitators guided students through activities engagingwith texts through art, theater, and collaborative discussion. Depression and anxiety symptoms were measuredbefore treatment, immediately after, and at 3-month follow-up.
Findings:
Students receiving Pre-Texts showed greater reductions in depression symptoms compared to controlstudents, with effects maintained at 3-month follow-up. Both groups showed decreased anxiety symptoms, withno significant difference between conditions. Students found Pre-Texts highly acceptable and engaging.
Implications:
Arts-based approaches offer an alternative pathway to addressing youth mental health that mayappeal to young people who don't respond well to traditional talk therapy. Pre-Texts demonstrates thatinterventions can be both culturally engaging and clinically effective. The program's emphasis on creativity andcollaboration provides a non-stigmatizing way to build emotional skills and reduce depression symptoms.
