ReducingSAD is a campaign to research and develop a different approach to lifetime mental wellbeing
SAD – Stress, Anxiety and Depression – is on the rise, globally. In fact, SAD is a big problem.
We don’t just want to help people get better. We want to give everyone the tools to prevent SAD developing in the first place.
Why “SAD”?
Our “SAD” isn’t Seasonal Affective Disorder – it’s Stress, Anxiety and Depression – something that happens at any time of year.
And the other “SAD” – Seasonal Affective Disorder – coincidentally is a form of our “SAD”: Stress, Anxiety and Depression.
SAD is a massive emotional and financial burden that can both ruin and curtail lives
Its effects reach individuals, families, employers, schools, communities and healthcare providers. It costs trillions.
Stress, Anxiety and Depression are behind some of the most demanding emotional health challenges we face today.
Post-partum depression, fractiousness in babies, anxiety in toddlers, a host of childhood difficulties, adolescent depression, self-harming and suicidal thoughts and intentions plus a host of addictive and compulsive actions in adolescence and adulthood are all connected to our “SAD”.
Some scientists believe that whilst stress, anxiety and depression can be separate conditions, they may also be a line of symptoms of a single, as yet, misunderstood condition.
Visit our sister website WhatIsSAD.com to find out more about both our “SAD” – Stress, Anxiety and Depression – and the other “SAD”, and how they are linked.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reduce the frequency and severity of bouts of stress, anxiety and depression in children, adolescents and adults.
Our Vision
Our vision is a world where everyone is resourced and equipped to deal far better with the inevitable stress, anxiety and depression modern life brings.
ReducingSAD advocates the provision of personalised preventative mental healthcare. We are taking direct action by researching and developing a preventative approach.
Why take a preventative approach to SAD?
Photograph by Sonya Hurtago
How will our unique preventative approach work?
Tailored support is there for every step. At the very centre of it all is a process called Find your ELK; which helps every individual understand that, often, the best support comes from within.
We call our approach 3P3C.
Our ultimate goal: Milestones programmes
We are working towards creating a suite of programmes that will offer support throughout a lifetime. Largely preventative, they will help programme users navigate all stages of life and the challenges they present.
These are our current studies informing the creation of our Milestones programmes
CalmBaby
We are investigating whether a preventative programme to reduce the severity and incidence of SAD in pregnancy can protect the child’s future mental wellbeing.
8ii11 study
A study of ways in which we can help 8-11 year olds understand their emotional wellbeing now and as they enter adolescence.
Calm Teacher, Cool Parent…
A feasibility study to enable the creation of a programme with the intention of reducing SAD amongst teachers, school support staff, parents and children.
Teen mental
health project
A qualitative study of teenagers, and those who care about them, who are personally affected by stress, anxiety and depression, and those who care about them. The goal of this is a regular podcast run by adolescents for adolescents.
Research collaborations
Here are the studies in which we and our associates are currently involved.
Tenacity
A study about creating a programme to improve the quality of life for people receiving treatment for cancers, their families and their carers.
Remotely…
One of our life-changing projects is underway.
Remotely… is a group of not-for-profit companies that we are setting up to make life better for people who live and work in remote places. So far we are funded in India, Ireland, Scotland, Türkiye and Wales.