May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It was initially established in 1949 to acknowledge the number of veterans suffering from mental illnesses post-World War II. However, it has become increasingly clear – especially since COVID-19 – that mental health affects everyone.
“Two in five adults report anxiety and depression, and two in five teens describe experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness…” reports the White House.
At the UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, we believe mental health is a critical part of a whole-person care approach to health and wellbeing.
Research supports that mindfulness-based practices may be helpful for anxiety and depression says the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
“Meditation is especially beneficial for reducing stress,” adds Mental Health America. “Studies show it can also reduce depression and anxiety, and help people manage chronic pain.”
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, a 2018 NCCIH-supported analysis of 142 groups of participants with diagnosed psychiatric disorders such as anxiety or depression examined mindfulness meditation approaches compared with no treatment and with established evidence-based treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressant medications. The analysis included more than 12,000 participants, and the researchers found that for treating anxiety and depression, mindfulness-based approaches were better than no treatment at all, and they worked as well as the evidence-based therapies.
To assist you, the new Samueli Institute Learning Library features a collection of audio mindful meditations available whenever and wherever you need them.
Particularly helpful may be:
Explore the full collection of Mindful Meditations here.
Resources:
Caring for Your Mental Health — National Institute of Mental Health
Meditation and Mindfulness – National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
White House Statement on National Mental Health Awareness Month
