Healthy Learning Mind

The Healthy Learning Mind research project is a randomized controlled trial exploring the effectiveness of a mindfulness intervention on wellbeing, resilience, learning, self-compassion and happiness among 12–15-year-old adolescents in the school context. Altogether 3519 students and their teachers and parents participated in the study in 2014–2016. Participants were randomized in three different study groups: 1) an intervention group with mindfulness program; 2) an active control group with standard relaxation program and 3) a control group with normal curriculum.

Currently, we are analysing the data. So far, the statistical analyses have shown that mindfulness intervention is slightly more beneficial compared to the standard relaxation program among adolescents. We found increase in resilience and decrease in depressive symptoms as well as improved social-emotional functioning in the mindfulness group compared to the relaxation group.

The development project was conducted in 2016–2018 when we received a grant for health promotion from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The aim was to provide schools with a practical and cost-effective tool to promote wellbeing, learning and happiness among students and school staff while also fostering a positive social climate and a sense of calm in classrooms. Throughout the project, we developed national mindfulness-based wellbeing programs for both students and school staff and implemented them in Finnish comprehensive schools.

In the coming years, we will continue analyzing the data and publishing the results in scientific articles.