Mindfulness Group-based Intervention for Early Psychosis

MAC is a 12-week facilitated group mindfulness intervention promoting the development of social-emotional competence in youth created by Mindfulness Without Borders (MWB; www.mwb.org). A meditative practice, mindfulness focuses one's awareness on the present, acknowledging and accepting without judging one's feelings, thoughts, or bodily sensations. Each session has a unique focus (e.g., paying attention, practicing gratitude) and consists of facilitated group learning, discussion and mindfulness skills practice. Home assignments to help reinforce specific lesson are also assigned. MAC has demonstrated acceptability, feasibility, and promising beneficial effects in schools, and in the pilot study conducted at the Early Psychosis Program at London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ontario. Its youth-focus and emphasis on building social and emotional competencies through mindfulness make it a promising intervention for youth recovering from their first episode of psychosis.