Depressive and Anxiety Disorders

Common mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression, are widespread among the American population. The prevalence of mental health disorders among adults continues has consistently increased from previous decades and is now a major public health challenge. Data shows that 1 in 5 Americans regularly report feeling depressed. Therapy is supported as an effective means of treating mental anxiety and depression, and lessening their severity. But therapy is expensive and not always covered by insurance. It is well known that exercise provides physiological and psychological benefits to those suffering from mental health disorders. However, prescribing and monitoring exercise can be challenging, if not impossible, for mental health practitioners, and individuals often are unsure how to begin an exercise program on their own. Studies that have investigated the impact on exercise on mental health have delivered exercise using a traditional clinical trial exercise structure, where exercise is completed by the client/patient under the supervision of a professional. This structure, while beneficial, does not always transfer well to real-world settings. Working one-on-one with an exercise professional poses financial and scheduling barriers for most. Few, if any, studies have used group exercise and group therapy to address mental health concerns. This study aims to combine cardiovascular exercise with group therapy to investigate the impact of cardiovascular fitness on mental health outcomes among Rural dwelling adults living with generalized anxiety and/or depressive disorders.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tailored to meet the needs of adults living with cystic fibrosis (ACT with CF) is a newer form of talk therapy that has been shown to reduce anxiety \& depression and improve psychological flexibility, and value-based living. The investigators are now trying to find out whether a self-help version of this treatment (ACT with CF - Self Help Toolkit) is also effective in reducing anxiety and depression and improving psychological flexibility and value-based living in adults with CF. Adults with cystic fibrosis are at increased risk for anxiety and depression. This study examines whether a patient-facing therapy, ACT with CF - Self Help Toolkit can help to reduce anxiety and depression among adults with CF. This treatment can be accessed on the participant's smartphone.