A pilot trial randomized 101 sixth-grade students to either a daily mindfulness meditation practice during an Asian history course or an active control activity during an African history course. Both groups showed significant decreases in clinical syndrome subscales and negative affect, with no difference between them in the extent of improvement. However, students who meditated were significantly less likely to develop suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm compared to controls. The findings suggest that mindfulness training may produce both unique benefits, such as reduced suicidal ideation, and non-specific benefits shared with other novel activities.
Sixth graders who practiced short mindfulness meditation sessions four to five times per week for six weeks reported greater improvement in emotional wellbeing than those in an active control group. Gender moderated the effect: female meditators showed larger increases in positive affect compared to control females, while males in both groups improved equally. Among females only, gains in self-compassion were linked to better affect. The results suggest school-based mindfulness training benefits early adolescents, with distinct responses by gender.
Palliative care clinicians view existential distress as a common and often inadequately treated psychosocial-spiritual problem that resists purely medical approaches. They see psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAT) as a potentially powerful tool for refractory existential distress but believe a stronger evidence base is needed. Because PAT do not fit existing treatment models, barriers remain, including stigma and limited education about their medical use. Larger clinical trials and educational outreach are needed to clarify treatment targets and address safety concerns, and integration into palliative care should emphasize collaboration with spiritual care and mental health providers while addressing equitable access.