chyp's PhotoVoice

Pilot project or new program

Research shows that 15% of adolescents have chronic pain, and over half regularly miss school and activities because of the pain. This has serious developmental impacts for young people, including an increased risk of anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse, and future pain disability. In fact, 70% of teens with chronic pain will have persistent pain as adults if not properly addressed during adolescence. Health issues extend to family members. Parenting a child with chronic pain can result in missed work, financial stress, poor self-care, and mental health issues. The negative impact of pediatric chronic pain has been established, but there are still many barriers like socioeconomic status, location, insurance, and transportation. chyp utilizes the current tech-focused climate to provide resources online, so families can get the help they need in their own homes. For this project, chyp focuses on photography as a creative outlet, coping skill, and tool for dialogue.

chyp was founded by pediatric chronic pain expert, Lonnie Zeltzer, MD, a Distinguished Research Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Immediate Past-Director of the UCLA Pediatric Pain and Palliative Care Program. She is a co-author on the Institute of Medicine report on Transforming Pain in America and was a member of the national steering committee to provide directions for pain research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Georgia Weston, MSW, is the Executive Director of chyp and has spent a decade in the chronic pain world as an author, nonprofit Director, and therapist - and as a chronic pain patient since 14. chyp has professional experience (an international Clinical Advisory) and personal experience (a Youth Advisory Board and Parent/Caregiver Advisory Board). The chyp team uses their combined backgrounds and evidence-based creative healing options to provide online services.

Persistent pain hinders daily functioning and leads to isolation. Research shows that social support is a major factor in reducing the negative effects of chronic pain (including mental health problems and substance abuse). Learning creative outlets (e.g. photography) as coping skills can be empowering, enhance self-esteem, and increase feelings of connectedness to a greater community. The portfolio at the end will spread awareness of pediatric chronic pain and creative healing. The participants’ stories will be carried throughout LA and online so peers can feel represented and validated. chyp understands that social support and feelings of connectedness do not have to be a two-way communication, but includes the power of story-telling.

With PhotoVoice, chyp envisions a growing community of patients working to transform pain and isolation into empowerment and connection. Photography and social support are immediate coping skills that mitigate the impact of pain. Long-term effects offer feelings of connectedness and proof that at-home healing reduces healthcare barriers. Results will be disseminated through social media, websites, and Dr. Zeltzer’s contacts. Through six group cycles (12 participants/group) there will be two groups aged 13-17, two groups aged 18-25, and two groups for parents. An initial Zoom meeting will discuss expectations, followed by two weeks to take photos. Each cycle will end with a Zoom meeting to share photos and process with peers, led by mental health professionals. To measure success there will be a pre- and post-test. Outcomes will be based on quantitative rating scales and qualitative interviews: 1. To what extent do you feel you expressed your pain and/or coping to others? 2. To what extent do you feel connected to others? and 3. Percent of program completion. Questions 1 and 2 will have a 0-10 scale (0/not at all - 10/extremely), and will be considered successful if the mean change of the age grouping’s pre- and post-score increases by at least two points. At least 65% of participants completing pre- and post-meetings, and submitting two photos, will be considered a success. chyp will host a photo exhibit so LA can see the world of chronic pain.

Social and emotional support

LA is the best place to CREATE