Evaluation of an online mindfulness stress reduction course for mental health staff

Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and burnout among healthcare professionals. This article details a project undertaken to evaluate the effects of an eight-week online mindfulness stress reduction (MSR) course for staff at an NHS mental health trust. The course was run five times between September 2020 and May 2022 and 59 members of staff took part. Participants were asked to complete the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale before and after the course as well as a post-course feedback questionnaire. Quantitative analysis showed significant increases in well-being and mindfulness among participants following the course. Participants also indicated that online delivery was an effective method and that they had learned skills enabling them to better regulate their emotions. This suggests that an online MSR course can enhance mindfulness skills and well-being among healthcare staff working in high-stress environments.