(Oxford Diploma) Art Therapy and Depression Relief in 2026 (Udemy.com)

Very Good!!!!

Depression is a major problem in today’s stressed society, in particular among the young as social media allows instant comparisons, instant friendships – and instant ostracisation. This series of lectures shows how depression is portrayed – and may be reduced by participating – in the theatre and cinema. The various clips are from the presenter’s own plays/theatre and add context to the narrative. There is no attempt to advertise ‘upcoming performances’ either…until the interview with the young film producer (aged 17). On the one hand this was very interesting and the link to the crowd funding campaign (which closed before the course was launched so this is not subliminal selling) added a certain weight to the delivery. On the other hand, though, there were no links to a development of what the producer was talking about i.e. where is the film? Where is the campaign?

I understand why clips from major films cannot be used (copyright) and I found the references to Lady Gaga interesting. The various ways to reduce depression – and the steps the Presenter, Chris Sivewright is taking – will, I am sure, be of interest and help to educators and theatre professionals alike.

This course is totally free and should be seen as a useful contribution to reduce depression in everyone but especially the young.

Well done!

Yes. I am very interested in the subject matter.

Very informative

interesante

Wonderful course which I found really helpful and interesting. A much better option than taking anti-depressants !

Excellent information

It's interesting to hear about the govt aspect/influence on theatre. I didn't realize that there were so many studies and findings that reveal performing arts - both partaking in and consuming - contribute to better wellbeing. But I guess that shows when studies/facts don't align with the beliefs, views or goals of people controlling that funding, it doesn't matter. Love that it is proven performing arts, specifically acting, can be therapeutic. Interesting course. Would have loved more of an interactive element, but really appreciate the time and effort that has gone into conveying this information for free. Brilliant.

Excellent course about the positive influence of the theater and cinema to face the depression. They discuss affordable forms of theater-based therapy, public policy about culture, recommended movies to watch, explain the difference of theatre and cinema over the perspective of the human perception and socialisation and finish with nice resources to get more help. Honest, direct, objective, useful and fun, so I recommend for everyone. Thank you so much Mr. Sivewright.

As a long-term sufferer of depression myself, I really wanted to like this course, but I found it messy and fractured. It seemed to be three courses squished into one.

The section on theatre, cinema, and depression seemed to be aimed more at people who cared for depressed people rather than the depressed themselves. And the segment about government cuts to the arts diffused my interest in the topic. I did find the idea of involvement in theatre a fresh approach to the subject, and thought that should be a course of its own.

The section about "Under Tight Skin", while about a short film being made about depression, by a crew who suffered depression, has a connection to the overall subject of the course, it came across as a promo for the project, rather than educational, in my view.

There were snippets that would be of some help to depression sufferers, but these were scattered through the course, and not highlighted enough for someone who might be seeking help and enlightenment.

I commend Chris for creating a fresh look at this subject matter; a subject that needs many approaches to reach more people, and that is why I've given it 4 stars.

I look forward to seeing what he has done in the Mark II version of this course. And I also thank him for making this and his other courses available to so many.

Clear communication supported by quotations and linked to studies. Not all just talk, couple of clips from theatre too which makes it varied and interesting. Paced at the right speed too. Of especial interest are the real life examples. Of course 'depression' can be found in textbooks but this course is something more than that. Not hugely famous examples only but also a personal touch, an interview with a (very young) Producer, stills from a film. This is an excellent mixture of the academic and the real-life; the theoretical and the practical. Nothing fancy, nothing hyper just slow, careful analysis plus examples. I also liked the frequent use of links showing that further study, gleaning of information, can take place after the course has finished. This review is written in August 2017 and clearly the course is very new and up to date.

UPDATE AUGUST 2018

I have now watched the Mk II version and it is fascinating how this course fits into aspects of the Mk II course.

WELL DONE!

needed to listen to at speed 1.25 because otherwise sppech is too slow and unnatural.

great intro as to the benefits of drama, either as a preformer or observer, for people with depression.

would like to know more about monoploy therapy - this is the firs time i have heard about it