OK, I've decided to explore the use of meditation in tackling mental health problems. I've not managed to track down any experts, so I'm going to have to rely on that trusty font of all erroneous knowledge - the internet. (If you are a meditation and mental health expert - please get in touch!)
My curiosity was initially pricked by a recent survey, which suggested that brain chemistry, particularly in relation to stress, could be altered by meditation.
My curiosity was initially pricked by a recent survey, which suggested that brain chemistry, particularly in relation to stress, could be altered by meditation.
In fact, the study relates to a particular type of meditation based on Chinese medicine - Integrative Body Mind Training which claims to be able to have an impact in 5 days. Obviously the findings are interesting but more extensive studies are required.
When in doubt you can't beat a good meta analysis, which draws together the findings of a host of relevant studies.
A recent meta analysis of mindfulness based stress reduction, which involves meditation, uncovered some positive results.
The researchers do urge caution, however, due to the modest number of randomised studies and the relative lack of long-term follow-up data. Again, more research needed.
Meanwhile, a study cited on the NHS site finds there is not enough evidence to support the use of mediation to tackle anxiety disorder and even points to reported adverse effects.
A small scale preliminary study found some benefit in mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for people with depression.
And an earlier study found that MBCT could be as effective as antidepressants.
Finally here's a list of meditation resources for those with a general interest.
The big question for me is whether meditation and mindfulness are approaches that need to be utilised more extensively within our mental health services. I shall attempt to garner some opinions and will return to this topic when I do.
When in doubt you can't beat a good meta analysis, which draws together the findings of a host of relevant studies.
A recent meta analysis of mindfulness based stress reduction, which involves meditation, uncovered some positive results.
Our findings suggest the usefulness of MBSR as an intervention for a broad range of chronic disorders and problems. In fact, the consistent and relatively strong levelApparently, consistent improvements were found in depression, anxiety and coping skills.
of effect sizes across very different types of sample indicates that mindfulness training might enhance general features of coping with distress and disability in everyday
life, as well as under more extraordinary conditions of serious disorder or stress.
The researchers do urge caution, however, due to the modest number of randomised studies and the relative lack of long-term follow-up data. Again, more research needed.
Meanwhile, a study cited on the NHS site finds there is not enough evidence to support the use of mediation to tackle anxiety disorder and even points to reported adverse effects.
A small scale preliminary study found some benefit in mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) for people with depression.
And an earlier study found that MBCT could be as effective as antidepressants.
Finally here's a list of meditation resources for those with a general interest.
The big question for me is whether meditation and mindfulness are approaches that need to be utilised more extensively within our mental health services. I shall attempt to garner some opinions and will return to this topic when I do.
I have been practising meditation for nearly 40 years, and have no doubts about its merits interms of self discovery. As a quick fix it remedy, I doubt it. However, I have always tried to use the rudiments of mindfulness in working with service users and have found it more than useful. I work as a community mental health nurse and am a trained humanistic therapist. I am happy that there is an interest in esoteric theory.
Hi You might want to check out Samye Ling, Tibetan
monastery Eskdalemuir, Scotland. There is an offshoot mental halth project, I think called Rokpa. Also see if there's websites for Lama Geshe Rimpoche and also Ram Dass. Then there's the Prison Phoenix Trust, a long established meditation & yoga projet in UK prisons...originally started in the 70's by Ram Dass in USA.
Hi, thanks very much for your messages - I'll check out the resources you have mentioned, Robin.
Good point about the quick fix, Paul and I'd be really interested to find out more about how you use mindfulness in your practice.
I too have been practising meditation for many years and use it to clear myself, become an empty vessel, clear of preconceptions before going in to visit a client.
It keeps me sane in child protection work, helps me to be reflective and calm.
I wrote a book about this published by Russell House, 'The Barefoot Helper' there is more info on my website: www.another-way.co.uk
I found all your views on meditation very interesting and inspiring. During my practice with adults with mental health difficulties, I found that many clients wanted quick fix solutions and had a strong believe that they could find this through medication. Introducing alternative ways of self-help would be great. I found the gym and music very therapeutic. I used to listen to some jazz funk or R&B in the morning before setting out to work. The gym would destress me later in the evening.
I think we should also think of introducing some more physically active groups or even counselling in the workforce for social workers and clients. I think if I had received similar support from my previous employer, I would have stuck around more. But at the time my mind and body was telling me that workplace was not right for me.
At present I am trying to launch personal development workshops for counselling students, teenagers etc. I will definetly consider introducing mediation. It was great to read your article, as it gives me inspiration to think outside the box and be more creative.
I am a mental health worker and a regular meditator. I am also a member of the World Community for Christian Meditation. The WCCM recently formed a working group to consider the benefits of meditation for people recovering from mental health problems. A number of members who have experience of mental health problems, myself included, have reported that regular meditation, alongside appropriate treatment, has significant benefits such as a greater capacity to handle fearful thoughts and to experience greater calm and focus. Meditation is not just a technique though but a form of deep prayer and its power is perhaps that it helps us to be more fully ourselves with greater integration between our beliefs and our practice.