Pinnacle Newspaper 2024

“Learning to play the piano has been a
transformative journey for me. It gave me
something positive to focus on, a reason to
get out of bed each day.”
Sarah Thompson
Participants diagnosed with
chronic depression enrolled
in various skill-based activities,
ranging from art and
music to coding and cooking.
Over the course of the study,
participants consistently reported
a noticeable improvement
in mood and a reduction
in feelings of sadness and
hopelessness.
The therapeutic benefits of acquiring
new skills extend beyond
the immediate sense of achievement.
Participants reported an enhanced
sense of purpose, increased
self-esteem, and a greater ability to
cope with stress. This holistic approach
to mental health treatment has the potential
to complement existing treatments.
Lois Ridgley, MS LMFT explains: “When a person is
willing to learn a new skill, it changes the emotional
climate of their days, and is often a first step in managing
depression.”
The groundbreaking research raises questions about the traditional
approaches to managing chronic depression, paving the way for a more
diversified and personalized approach to mental health care.
As society wrestles with increasing mental health challanges, the prospect
of a simple and effective new tool, learning a new skill, emerges as a beacon
of hope for those seeking to help themselves in finding effective, sustainable
ways to overcome chronic depression.
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THRIVING WHILE LEARNING
Student resources are available
WWW.PIERCE.CTC.EDU/MENTALHEALTH