Looking up to Look Within: Preliminary Findings of the Restorative Effects of Astronomical Retreats in South Africa

Depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders continue to rise globally, with South Africa’s burden intensified by structural inequalities and a 91% mental health treatment gap, making accessible complementary interventions urgently needed. This exploratory mixed-methods pilot study examined the feasibility and acceptability of astronomy-based mental health support grounded in Attention Restoration Theory and awe research and sought a preliminary signal of change in psychological well-being. Two sequential retreat iterations combined guided naked-eye and telescope-based stargazing with nature immersion: a proof-of-concept peer camp (n = 19, Glencairn) and a family-focused retreat (n = 22 across nine family groups, Sutherland). The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was administered before (T1) and after (T2) the Glencairn retreat; qualitative data comprised the Most Significant Change focus groups (Glencairn) and asynchronous text-based interviews (Sutherland). Mean depression, anxiety and stress scores were lower at T2 than at T1. Because questionnaires were completed anonymously, individual T1 and T2 responses could not be linked. A valid paired analysis was therefore not possible, and inferential significance testing was not undertaken. These results represent descriptive cohort level patterns and should not be interpreted as evidence of within person change. Qualitative findings across both settings indicated calm, perspective shifts, and relational connection, while environmental novelty and family dynamics introduced competing cognitive demands at Sutherland. These preliminary findings suggest that astronomy-based interventions may support short-term psychological well-being and highlight three design considerations for implementation in African contexts, offered as provisional insights rather than established implementation principles with the design considerations being: cognitive spaciousness, contextual onboarding and relational anchoring.