Preliminary evaluation of a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction intervention for mental health professionals.

OBJECTIVES: Mental health professionals are particularly susceptible to occupational stress; however, there are limited formal programmes to address the problem. This paper discusses the preliminary results of a brief mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programme for practising professionals in a public hospital mental health unit.
METHOD: A mixed-group of nine mental health professionals participated in eight weeks of daily 15-minute MBSR training interspersed with three 30-minute education sessions developed by the authors (AD and AT). Levels of psychological distress and mindfulness skill were measured before and immediately after participation.
RESULTS: Following the brief MBSR programme, quantitative and qualitative participant feedback revealed a perceived reduction in psychological distress.
CONCLUSIONS: A brief MBSR programme can be incorporated into the full-time workloads of practicing mental health professionals, potentially addressing a significant unmet workplace need. © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2015.