To mark Mental Health Awareness Week this week (May 8-14), a research project that offers University of Sussex students mindfulness training has been extended to University staff too.
The Sussex Mindfulness Research Project, which aims to better understand how such practices work, is a collaboration between the School of Psychology and the Sussex Mindfulness Centre, which is part of the local NHS trust.
Participants are being offered mindfulness training in return for taking part in the multi-phase research intended to understand how mindfulness impacts a person's general well-being and mental health.
Lead investigator Dr Helga Dittmar said: “There is already a wealth of evidence to suggest that mindfulness training is beneficial for concentration, attention focus, and stress relief.
“As well as helping us with our research, participants will gain ideal skills for use in their studies, work and personal life.”
The project is the first step in a longer-term research initiative to promote positive mental health and well-being among students and staff.
“Through the results of the research, the project will enable the Sussex Mindfulness Centre to understand better how and when mindfulness training is most effective,” added Dr Clara Strauss of the Sussex Partnership NHS Trust and an honorary Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at the University.
“With this information we can make sure that in future, the Centre and the NHS offer training in the most effective way for people's greatest possible benefit, whether a student or not.”
Interested participants can obtain further information about taking part in the project by emailing SMR@sussex.ac.uk.
There will also be the option to sign up for future research opportunities as part of the longer-term research project.
For more information on the work of the Sussex Mindfulness Centre, visit http://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/mindfulness.