Examining the Feasibility and Acceptability of a Tailored Version of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness (YEH)

The session will include brief didactic presentations, videos, and mindfulness practice followed by inquiry. We anticipate that sessions will take place twice a week. Sessions will be held on site at the Covenant House Texas (CHT) shelter in a quiet, designated learning space to ease access to sessions for the participants and to assure access to shelter staff (e.g., social workers and case managers) and services (e.g., food and shelter). CHT has onsite, weekday clinical and mental health care and established protocols for accessing needed resources 24/7. Selection criteria for the interventionist include maintaining a personal mindfulness practice for at least two years, trained in .b, and prior experience working with high-risk youth. The interventionist will receive additional training in Trauma-Informed Care as well as study procedures.

Participants will receive no training in MBI or meditation. Topics covered may include physical activity, nutrition, managing weight, understanding adolescence, personal care, avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and drugs though this will be finalized in YR-1 with the HYWG and advisory panel. The HT program will be led by a positive adult instructor with training in health education or a related field and experience working with YEH.