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The challenges of facilitating a mindfulness programme in a psychiatric inpatient unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 September 2015

D. Lavin*
Affiliation:
Health Service Executive, Adult Mental Health Services, Tus Nua, Kildare, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr D. Lavin, Clinical Psychologist, Health Service Executive, Tus Nua, Dublin Road, Kildare Town, Co. Kildare, Ireland. (Email: [email protected])

Abstract

Facilitating mindfulness programmes within an inpatient mental health setting is discussed. The difficulty in effectively engaging patients at this acute stage in their illness is focussed upon. Other challenges discussed are identifying appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria; identifying the optimal programme format for this setting; promoting mindfulness within the environment of the inpatient unit and the training requirements for programme facilitators. The article concludes that due attention should be given to these challenges in order to maintain the integrity of mindfulness as an effective intervention for mental health difficulties.

Type
Perspective
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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