Throughout May, Australians are being encouraged to embrace mindfulness as a means to bolster their mental wellbeing. The initiative, known as Mindful in May, marks its tenth anniversary as an online social engagement event aimed at promoting mental health awareness and practices.
Dr. Craig Hassed, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at Monash University, highlights the urgency of the initiative. “Health services are dealing with an unprecedented volume of enquiries from Australians experiencing anxiety and stress due to health concerns, social isolation, unemployment, underemployment, financial strain, and the challenges of managing homeschooling,” he explains. “Mindful in May is a necessary lifeline.”
The Growing Need for Mindfulness
The initiative comes at a time when many Australians find themselves grappling with significant life changes. According to Dr. Hassed, “A lot of Australians are doing it tough as their lives have been turned upside down.” He emphasizes the importance of managing mental health, particularly when excessive free time leads to worry and rumination. “Mindful in May’s 30-day program can be tremendously helpful for those seeking to manage the uncertainty, ride the emotional rollercoaster, or hit reset,” he adds.
The program has garnered support from a coalition of health professionals, including psychologists, general practitioners, and psychiatrists. They argue that the program offers essential tools for Australians to face life’s challenges, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic.
“We have thrown our endorsement behind Mindful in May because it is soundly based on techniques with strong scientific backing and it has a great track record,” states the coalition.
Scientific Backing and Expert Endorsement
Research conducted by Dr. Neil Bailey, a neuroscientist and Research Fellow at the Epworth Centre for Innovation in Mental Health at Monash University, supports the program’s efficacy. Participants in Mindful in May reported greater focus, improved stress management, increased self-compassion, and reduced negative emotions.
“Our study also showed that daily mindfulness practice leads to more common experiences of positive emotions than less frequent mindful practice,” says Dr. Bailey.
Led by Dr. Elise Bialylew, a doctor trained in psychiatry, the program consists of 10-minute daily meditations. These sessions aim to teach mindfulness skills, helping Australians manage spiraling thoughts of worry and reclaim their mental clarity.
“We are grateful to have the medical profession stand behind the program; it’s further endorsement of the measurable, positive health benefits that just 10 minutes of meditation can have on the mind,” says Dr. Bialylew.
Broader Impact and Participation
The initiative has seen widespread participation, with over 100 nurses at the Alfred Hospital, along with staff and students at Monash University and RMIT, taking part in the challenge. The benefits of mindfulness are well-documented, offering a shift away from negative behaviors linked to rising depression rates.
“There are any number of benefits to mindfulness including deepening our joy in living, improving our connectedness and relationships, improving memory and mental health, even driving our cars more safely, and of course lowering rates of depression and anxiety,” says Dr. Hassed.
As health professionals across Australia join Dr. Elise Bialylew for daily meditation sessions throughout May, the initiative underscores the importance of mental health practices in navigating the complexities of modern life.
For more information, visit Mindful in May.
