Consideration of Mindfulness approaches in Child Mental Health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A mindfulness group intervention for young people accepted into CAMHS awaiting further ‘non-urgent’ appointments with some involvement of their parents. Mindfulness can foster a calmer prospective leading to better outcomes for mental health. Others not included in the group could act as controls.
IRAS ID
123893
Contact name
EA Abdullahzadeh
Contact email
Research summary
The research addresses the effectiveness of mindfulness as an intervention in a group format in child mental health. Mindfulness has an established evidence base in other areas for example DBT used to help people with BPD (Linehan 1993) and for depression in adults –MBCT (Segal et al 2002). This study is designed to evaluate whether the intervention could be helpful to young people known to CAMHS. The target group would be young people accepted into the service awaiting further ‘non-urgent’ appointments, mainly suffering from low mood, low self esteem and /or anxiety.
People at this stage of treatment would otherwise be waiting several weeks for follow on appointments. Potentially the intervention would assist the young people to foster a calmer prospective on their difficulties leading to better outcomes for their mental health. Mindfulness involves developing awareness about the present, rather than dwelling on past or future events. The practice encourages a non-judgemental attitude helping participants come to terms with issues by acknowledging thoughts but letting them pass without getting involved or disturbed by them (Kabat-Zinn 1994).
The intervention consists of an eight week programme of one hour sessions held on NHS premises. A follow up focus group would be held to seek the views of the young people and subsequently interviews with their parents to gain their perspectives.
The nature of the project would be explained to participants and parents who would be asked to opt in giving written consent. Parents’ participation would be important in understanding the process and supporting their child in any home practice.
Exclusion criterion would apply - such as inability to engage in groups, having complex needs or limited capacity. Participation in the group would in no way affect CAMHS follow up. People awaiting assessment and not in the group could act as a control.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NW/0410
Date of REC Opinion
27 Aug 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion