Mindfulness program for youth with anxiety and depression

Examining the Effectiveness of a Mindfulness-based Intervention for Underserved Adolescents With and Without Caregiver Involvement

Not applicable Interventional University of California, Los Angeles · NCT05353751

This study is testing a 9-week mindfulness program for teens with anxiety or depression to see if doing it together with a parent or caregiver helps improve their mental health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages12 Years to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, Los Angeles Academic / other
Locations1 site (Imperial, California)
Trial IDNCT05353751 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot intervention explores the effects of a digitally-based mindfulness program called the Kind Minds Program, designed for adolescents aged 12 to 17 with anxiety or depression. The program lasts for 9 weeks and involves both the adolescent and their parent or caregiver participating together. The study aims to assess whether simultaneous participation enhances the mental health benefits for the adolescent. A total of 30 parent-child pairs will be enrolled to evaluate the effectiveness of this combined approach.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adolescents aged 12-17 with a current diagnosis of anxiety or depression, along with one of their parents or caregivers.

Not a fit: Patients with current substance use disorders, suicidality, or certain severe mental health conditions may not benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in adolescents while also benefiting their parents or caregivers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that mindfulness interventions can effectively reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, but this specific combined approach is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants will include:

  1. one adolescent (aged 12-17 years) with a current diagnosis of an anxiety or depressive disorder)
  2. one of their parents/caregivers.
  3. Both adolescent and caregiver must speak English to the degree necessary to participate in the intervention program, which is only available in English.
  4. Parent and youth must have a smart phone and be willing to download the online mindfulness program.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Exclusion criteria apply to both caregiver and adolescent and include:

  1. current alcohol or substance use disorder or suicidality
  2. lifetime diagnosis of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, conduct disorder, or developmental delay diagnosed by an independent evaluator;
  3. English reading level below 4th grade
  4. non English speaking
  5. currently receiving mindfulness-based mental health services or taking medication to treat anxiety or depression.

Where this trial is running

Imperial, California

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Child AnxietyDepressionmindfulnesschildrenadolescentsanxietydepression
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.