Strong mind, strong body: The promise of mind–body interventions to address growing mental health needs among youth

Abstract

As the prevalence of childhood and adolescent anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns continues to rise, there has been an unprecedented increase in support of mind–body practices like yoga, dance, meditation, mindfulness, aerobic exercise, and more—in part driven by the mental health burden imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. While a growing body of evidence supports the safety and effectiveness of mind–body approaches, gaps in funding for and empirical research on mechanistic underpinnings, methodology development to assess multicomponent therapeutic practices, dissemination and implementation, and diversity in researchers, practitioners, and recipients remain. As a consequence, the neurobiological impacts of mind–body techniques are not well understood nor broadly accepted as standard forms of care by clinicians and insurers—often being considered as “alternative” rather than “complementary” or “integrative.” In this commentary, we summarize work from our labs and others highlighting the promise of mind–body approaches for improving mental health in youth, in line with the National Institute of Mental Health's strategic plan to address health disparities. We offer a potential framework for implementation and research—the Expressive Therapies Continuum. We also propose solutions to key research and policy gaps, that by could have positive public health impacts for those who are struggling and to prevent emergence of psychiatric illness, especially in developing youth.