The Effects of Mindfulness on Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

A significant percentage of children and adolescents demonstrate a lifetime prevalence of anxiety and depression disorder, making these two the most common mental disorders among youth (Merikangas et al., 2010). Mindfulness interventions have shown success in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in adults. This paper focused on the existing studies that show the positive effects of mindfulness practices in school settings on the moderate to severe anxiety and depression levels of elementary, middle and high school students. Further, the purpose of this analytical paper is to highlight the existing mindfulness interventions that have been successfully implemented, and the positive consequences these interventions have had in children and adolescents. Based on the following analysis, this paper will also suggest how existing mindfulness interventions could be successfully implemented in the current education system. This paper also uses an autoethnographic methodology to demonstrate the positive impact that mindfulness intervention had among children during a time in their life marked by trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. Doing so will aid the children in developing a better mental health outlook in the future. Keywords: adolescents, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, autoethnographyKeywords: adolescents, mindfulness, anxiety, depression, autoethnography