UK Teens Offered Mindfulness Classes To Tackle Mental Health Illness

UK teens will be taking lessons in mindfulness, as part of a study to determine if the practice can help protect younger generations from mental health problems. The study will see 6,000 11 to 14-year olds participate in the trial, where students will use mind exercises to train their attention and cope with issues of stress. The technique will include a “thought bus", where students will be encouraged to think of their thoughts as buses they can choose to board or let pass them by. There will also be classes in breathing techniques, workshops to combat stress and physical training exercises to help work out frustrations. According to The Huffington Post, the trial hopes to combat some of the effects of mental health disorders in the UK, with a new study showing 75% of mental disorders begin before the age of 24, with 50% starting before the age of 15. Speaking to The Huffington Post, lead researcher Professor Willem Kuyken said: "Mindfulness is a form of ‘mind exercise’ as it’s a way that we can improve our mental health. Just as brushing your teeth or going for a run are well known ways of protecting general physical health, mindfulness exercises develop mental fitness and resilience. "What this project is trying to establish is whether teaching teenagers mindfulness techniques can improve their attention and resilience, two key skills for maintaining good mental health." The trial will be launched in late 2016, with classes running for three years and two years of follow-up period assessment per student.