Getting the Buffalo Off Their Chests

The ability to manage stress and pay attention to whatever tasks are at hand are important determiners of well-being and successful learning. Issues that have been linked mostly to adults, such as anxiety and depression, are becoming serious concerns for young people. With adolescent suicide rates increasing every year, the mental health of adolescents especially black and LGBT youth has become a major concern of educators. Mindfulness practice, generally comprising breathing or focusing exercises that enhance attention and awareness, has increasingly been shown to be a powerful method of addressing the mental health needs of young people. Here, Titone et al discuss how mindfulness in the classroom can have beneficial effects on students.