NEWS

Mindfulness Trials Rolled Out at Hundreds of Schools in England

By Craig Lewis | | Buddhistdoor Global

As many as 370 schools in England are taking part in one of the largest mental health trials in the world, bringing a range of techniques—from mindfulness practices to muscle relaxation methods and breathing exercises—aimed at teaching children how to regulate and balance their emotional and mental well-being in a world of increasingly rapid change. A foundational practice in the more than 2,500-year-old Buddhist tradition, mindfulness has in recent years been gaining growing traction in more secular sectors of society as its efficacy and importance as a fundamental cornerstone of mental and emotional well-being is increasingly recognized by researchers and mental health practitioners. The newly launched trials in England, the latest example of the growing mainstream acceptance of mindfulness practices, follow the publication in November last year of the results of a 2017 survey by Britain’s National Health Service, which indicated that one in eight children in England aged from 5–19 exhibited symptoms of at least one mental disorder. Through the school trials, researchers will explore the efficacy of different techniques and approaches for children, recognizing the significant amount of their daily lives they spend at school, as well as the crucial effect teachers can have in identifying behavioral and emotional changes among their students. The two-year program will continue until 2021 as researchers seek to determine which techniques and practices will most benefit young students and support their mental health. “As a society, we are much more open about our mental health than ever before, but the modern world has brought new pressures for children, while potentially making others worse,” said Britain’s education secretary Damian Hinds. “Schools and teachers don’t have all the answers, nor could they, but we know they can play a special role which is why we have launched one of the biggest mental health trials in schools. These trials are key to improving our understanding of how practical, simple advice can help young people cope with the pressures they face.” (Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families)