Rise & Renew Program for Grief

(RENEW Trial)

Overseen By Tauchiana Williams, DSW, LCSW

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Lillian Haley, PhD

Disqualifiers: Under 40, Not bereaved, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 11

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a grief support program called Rise & Renew, designed for Black women aged 40 and older who have lost a close loved one, such as a spouse, parent, or child. The program includes a weekend wellness retreat and 10 weeks of online group support. Participants will either begin the online sessions immediately or after a 10-week delay to assess the program's helpfulness and accessibility. Women who identify as Black or African American, live in the U.S. South, and have experienced such a loss may be well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a culturally sensitive support program.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are receiving intensive psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment, it may conflict with participation.

What prior data suggests that the Rise & Renew program is safe and beneficial?

Research has shown that online grief support programs like Rise & Renew are practical and well-liked. These programs help reduce feelings of grief and stress, as well as symptoms of depression. Reports of harmful effects are absent, suggesting these programs are generally safe and easy to handle.

Rise & Renew is specifically designed for Black women to support emotional and spiritual healing. Although the study doesn't list side effects, the program uses wellness practices, making negative effects less likely. This program emphasizes community and healing, offering support rather than medical treatment. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Rise & Renew program for grief because it offers a unique blend of in-person and virtual support. Unlike traditional grief counseling, which typically involves individual therapy or support groups, this program starts with a wellness retreat to kickstart healing. Participants then engage in a 10-week virtual group support phase, either immediately or after a delay. This hybrid approach aims to provide continuous support and flexibility, potentially enhancing the healing process by combining the benefits of immersive experiences with the convenience of online sessions.

What evidence suggests that the Rise & Renew program is effective for grief support?

Studies have shown that online bereavement programs can help reduce the intensity of grief and related stress. These programs are particularly effective in managing depression linked to grief. In this trial, participants will join the Rise & Renew program, which supports Black women by honoring their cultural identity and spiritual needs, often overlooked in traditional grief support. Research also shows that participating in programs like grief camps can lower anxiety and improve self-esteem. This suggests that a culturally tailored program like Rise & Renew may offer significant emotional and spiritual benefits. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Black or African American women over 40 who live in the U.S. South and have lost a spouse, parent, or child. They must be able to attend a weekend retreat in Georgia and join weekly online sessions. A reliable internet connection and Zoom-capable device are needed.

Inclusion Criteria

I am a Black or African American woman.

I am 40 years old or older.

Has access to a reliable internet connection and a device capable of running Zoom

Exclusion Criteria

I am younger than 40 years old.

Has not experienced the death of a spouse, parent, or child

Does not provide informed consent

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

In-Person Weekend Retreat

Participants attend a weekend retreat focused on wellness, healing rituals, community building, and expressive arts

1 weekend

1 visit (in-person)

Virtual Support Program

Participants engage in a 10-week virtual support program with weekly sessions on grief, emotional healing, spiritual growth, and more

10 weeks

10 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in well-being and program satisfaction after the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Rise & Renew

Trial Overview The Rise & Renew program combines a wellness retreat with 10 weeks of online group support for grieving Black women. It aims to improve emotional health, spiritual well-being, and resilience by focusing on healing within a community.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Immediate Virtual Group Support Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receives the in-person wellness retreat and begins the 10-week virtual support phase the following weekend.

Group II: Delayed Virtual Group Support Active Control 1 Intervention

Attends the same in-person wellness retreat but does not begin the 10-week virtual support program until after a 10-week delay.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Lillian Haley, PhD

Lead Sponsor

The Good Stewards Partnership

Collaborator

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07009795?term=rise%20%26%20renew&rank=1

Rise & Renew: Supporting Well-Being in Black Women ... Rise & Renew is a 12-week hybrid grief support program designed to affirm the cultural identity, spirituality, and healing traditions of Black women. The ...

2. trialx.com trialx.com/clinical-trials/listings/322133/rise-renew-supporting-well-being-in-black-women-after-the-loss-of-a-loved-one/

Rise & Renew: Supporting Well-Being in Black Women ... This study addresses critical gaps in bereavement support for Black women, who often face intersecting emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs.

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11673319/

A rapid review of the evidence for online interventions ... Online bereavement support was feasible, acceptable and effective in reducing grief intensity, stress-related outcomes and depression.

4. aspe.hhs.gov aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/1ed9790d93a64e9054e0b25b808f0eff/bereavement-grief-services-report-congress-2023.pdf

Bereavement and Grief Services Report to Congress, 2023 “Effectiveness of a cognitive–behavioral group therapy for complicated grief in relatives of patients with cancer: A randomized clinical trial.” Palliat.

5. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00302228251326146

Effectiveness of Grief Camps in Supporting Bereaved ... The findings revealed that the grief camp significantly decreased anxiety and increased self-concept, with no change in depression symptoms. The ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-bereavement-4-2025-ffc9c

Rise & Renew Program for Grief (RENEW Trial) The RENEW medical study, being run by Lillian Haley, PhD, is evaluating whether Rise & Renew will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients with ...