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Mindfulness

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

How can I learn mindfulness? 

This page gives an overview of the following options, and lets you know where to find out more about them: 

  • Introductory courses, taster sessions and groups 
  • Formal mindfulness courses (MBCT and MBSR) 
  • Buddhist mindfulness courses 
  • One-to-one sessions with private practitioners 
  • Online courses, apps, books and CDs 

Our information on deciding whether mindfulness is right for you and getting the most from mindfulness also suggests some useful things to bear in mind. 

“Sometimes mindfulness makes you turn towards things you would normally avoid. That can be challenging. But if you have an experienced mindfulness teacher they can help you to pace yourself.”

Introductory courses, taster sessions and groups 

‘Introduction to mindfulness’ courses: 

  • can range from one day courses to eight week courses 
  • are typically very structured and will go through the basic concepts and exercises 
  • may be tailored to particular groups, such as students, people serving in the military or people with a particular diagnosis. 

Brief taster sessions and informal mindfulness groups are also common. 

You might find introductory courses, taster sessions or groups are organised through your place of work or education, or a local library or community centre. Private practitioners may also offer introductory courses for a fee. 

“I went on a mindfulness course once a week for about eight weeks. It covered body mindfulness, mindful eating, mindful walking, mindful environmental awareness and more.”

Formal mindfulness courses (MBCT and MBSR) 

Some structured mindfulness therapy programmes have been developed to treat specific problems. The most well-established courses are: 

  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) – for depression and anxiety. 
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) – for general stress. It can also help you manage long-term health conditions. 

Different courses may have slightly different structures, but in general they:

  • are delivered by qualified practitioners 
  • last for a fixed number of sessions, across a specific time frame (typically weekly two-hour sessions run over eight weeks) – although some courses may offer introductory sessions which are much shorter. 
  • are group-based, involving group work and group discussion (you can usually contribute as much as you feel comfortable with) 
  • involve a mixture of meditation daily mindfulness exercises, which you’re asked to practise in between sessions. 

Talk to your family doctor. They may also be offered through the private sector, although this involves paying a fee. 

You can also find out more from our pages on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and talking therapy and counselling.

Buddhist mindfulness courses 

These kinds of courses include traditional Buddhist practices of mindfulness meditation and other mindful techniques. They’re usually taught at Buddhist centres in the context of Buddhist teaching, and are likely to promote general mental wellbeing (not be a tailored treatment for specific health problems). 

See Buddhanet’s world Buddhist directory to find a Buddhist centre near you, and contact them directly to see what they offer. 

One-to-one sessions with private practitioners 

Some mindfulness teachers offer one-to-one sessions through the private sector. Some therapists and counsellors also have mindfulness training and can integrate mindfulness- based techniques into their approach. One-to-one sessions are more likely to be tailored to your particular situation, and don’t include any group work, but they may be expensive. 

You can look for a qualified mindfulness teacher or therapist in your local area through: 

For more information on things to consider when starting any kind of therapy, see our page getting the most from therapy. 

Online courses, apps, books and CDs 

There are many self-guided mindfulness resources available to guide you through different mindfulness exercises. Apps, books and CDs are typically less structured than online courses. 

There’s no formal regulation of self-help resources and they vary greatly in quality and cost, so it can be hard to judge what might work for you. But in general, it’s a good idea to look for course or resource that: 

  • is designed and delivered by qualified mindfulness teachers 
  • gives you clear information about its potential benefits and risks 
  • provides information about research studies that have explored how effective it is
  • has been recommended to you by a professional or someone you trust.
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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

How to learn mindfulness

How can I learn mindfulness? 

This page gives an overview of the following options, and lets you know where to find out more about them: 

  • Introductory courses, taster sessions and groups 
  • Formal mindfulness courses (MBCT and MBSR) 
  • Buddhist mindfulness courses 
  • One-to-one sessions with private practitioners 
  • Online courses, apps, books and CDs 

Our information on deciding whether mindfulness is right for you and getting the most from mindfulness also suggests some useful things to bear in mind. 

“Sometimes mindfulness makes you turn towards things you would normally avoid. That can be challenging. But if you have an experienced mindfulness teacher they can help you to pace yourself.”

Introductory courses, taster sessions and groups 

'Introduction to mindfulness' courses: 

  • can range from one day courses to eight week courses 
  • are typically very structured and will go through the basic concepts and exercises 
  • may be tailored to particular groups, such as students, people serving in the military or people with a particular diagnosis. 

Brief taster sessions and informal mindfulness groups are also common. 

You might find introductory courses, taster sessions or groups are organised through your place of work or education, or a local library or community centre. Private practitioners may also offer introductory courses for a fee. 

“I went on a mindfulness course once a week for about eight weeks. It covered body mindfulness, mindful eating, mindful walking, mindful environmental awareness and more.”

Formal mindfulness courses (MBCT and MBSR) 

Some structured mindfulness therapy programmes have been developed to treat specific problems. The most well-established courses are: 

  • Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) – for depression and anxiety. 
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) – for general stress. It can also help you manage long-term health conditions. 

Different courses may have slightly different structures, but in general they:

  • are delivered by qualified practitioners 
  • last for a fixed number of sessions, across a specific time frame (typically weekly two-hour sessions run over eight weeks) – although some courses may offer introductory sessions which are much shorter. 
  • are group-based, involving group work and group discussion (you can usually contribute as much as you feel comfortable with) 
  • involve a mixture of meditation daily mindfulness exercises, which you're asked to practise in between sessions. 

Talk to your family doctor. They may also be offered through the private sector, although this involves paying a fee. 

You can also find out more from our pages on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and talking therapy and counselling.

Buddhist mindfulness courses 

These kinds of courses include traditional Buddhist practices of mindfulness meditation and other mindful techniques. They're usually taught at Buddhist centres in the context of Buddhist teaching, and are likely to promote general mental wellbeing (not be a tailored treatment for specific health problems). 

See Buddhanet's world Buddhist directory to find a Buddhist centre near you, and contact them directly to see what they offer. 

One-to-one sessions with private practitioners 

Some mindfulness teachers offer one-to-one sessions through the private sector. Some therapists and counsellors also have mindfulness training and can integrate mindfulness- based techniques into their approach. One-to-one sessions are more likely to be tailored to your particular situation, and don't include any group work, but they may be expensive. 

You can look for a qualified mindfulness teacher or therapist in your local area through: 

For more information on things to consider when starting any kind of therapy, see our page getting the most from therapy. 

Online courses, apps, books and CDs 

There are many self-guided mindfulness resources available to guide you through different mindfulness exercises. Apps, books and CDs are typically less structured than online courses. 

There's no formal regulation of self-help resources and they vary greatly in quality and cost, so it can be hard to judge what might work for you. But in general, it's a good idea to look for course or resource that: 

  • is designed and delivered by qualified mindfulness teachers 
  • gives you clear information about its potential benefits and risks 
  • provides information about research studies that have explored how effective it is
  • has been recommended to you by a professional or someone you trust.