Mindful Way

Mindful Way in Higher Education

By Professor Lokesh Joshi

With the increasing pace of modern life, we are transitioning from human beings to human doings. We are losing connection with ourselves and with each other. This lack of ability to stop and reflect before responding is contributing to the rise in mental health issues in society, and the World Health Organisation’s predictions indicate that by 2030, depression will be the leading cause of disease burden globally. 75% of all adult mental disorders begin before 24 years (the age of students within our universities), and close to 30% of young adults have at least one mental illness.

Prescription of anti-depressants in the UK between 1991-2011 increased by 500% and, in an analysis presented at the World Economic Forum, Geneva, in 2011, it was estimated that the cumulative global impact of mental disorders in terms of lost economic output, will amount to US$16 trillion over the next 20 years.

Based on official suicide mortality data, the rate of youth suicide in Ireland is currently the fifth highest in the EU (at 15.7 per 100,000) among 15-24 year olds, the age group that is typically preparing for or attending University. This places Ireland’s suicide rate at 19 times greater that of Greece. This all points to a clear risk factor for Irish universities, where most of our student population falls within the ‘at risk’ age range.

As a scientist, I have been interested throughout my career in the importance of both mental and physical well-being in maximising people’s work performance and ability to adapt to changes in a work environment.

There is convincing scientific evidence of physiological changes to our bodies under certain conditions – for example, when we are under stress, during exercise and also when we engage in mental activities such as mindfulness and meditation.

Research pioneers such as Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts and Richard Davies at the University of Wisconsin, along with other scientists, have demonstrated the impact of mindfulness and other contemplative practices on reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing focus and well-being, and bringing about changes in gene expression, inflammatory pathways and neural anatomy.

Until recently, the brain was considered unchangeable grey mass. But it is now clear that our neuronal connections and brain mass are undoubtedly affected by thoughts, repeated actions and electromagnetic stimulation. This is commonly known as neuroplasticity: neurons that fire together, wire together.

For Irish higher education institutions to remain competitive globally, the health and well-being of students and staff is of paramount importance.

In simple terms, continuous anxiety, fear and negative thoughts or stillness and positive thoughts, have a profound impact on our brain as well as our physiology.

The higher education sector is going through a dramatic change, with continuing pressure in terms of student numbers, student retention, academic performance, globalisation, funding and resources. Of course, students and staff in higher education institutions are not immune to the mental health and work-based stress issues facing communities elsewhere.

For Irish higher education institutions to remain competitive globally, the health and well-being of students and staff is of paramount importance.

Empirical evidence available today suggests that the practice of intentional awareness of our moment-to-moment experiences can assist in the cultivation of well-being in the individual’s life, and can lead to benefits at a personal and professional level.

Chris Ruane, a former UK member of parliament, has been practising meditation and mindfulness for many years. So convinced is he of its positive impact that he has persuaded the UK parliament to offer mindfulness courses to MPs. As of July 2015, 100 UK parliamentarians have attended mindfulness workshops, the US Military has invested $150million to provide mindfulness training to its armed forces and returning war veterans, and corporate giants that include Google, Microsoft, Sony, SAP and Apple are providing mindfulness training to their executives.

In summary, educational attainment is a key factor for success in life. Mindfulness can help to bring about that excellence in education. By enabling people to live in the present moment, and releasing the mind from the habitual ruminative patterns that lead to worry, depression and burn-out, mindfulness can enable creative responses to new challenges.

NUI Galway is starting on this journey to adopt a mindfulness culture. Our University has recently hosted a conference of mindfulness experts, leaders in society and entrepreneurs, along with students, staff and University leaders, to discuss the importance of mindfulness in higher educational institutions.

The Mindful Way Conference represented our first steps towards understanding the role mindfulness can play in providing a more enriching experience for staff and students. There was such an enthusiastic response that we now want to build on that momentum to see what can be achieved collectively through a more mindful approach.

Over the next year, we will host a monthly Mindfulness Lecture Series from experts in the field to bring evidence-based mindfulness to NUI Galway. Our first speaker is leading a mindfulness programme at Cambridge University.

We are also working with Oxford graduate and Tibetan Buddhist monk, Gelong Thubten, who will provide mindfulness workshops to students and staff, to demonstrate how mindfulness can help to develop wellbeing, resilience and enhanced performance. We plan to dedicate physical spaces on campus for mindfulness practice, and to offer drop-in meditation sessions for staff and students.

NUI Galway is collaborating with academic leaders and entrepreneurs who have expertise in mindfulness to bring a ‘mindful entrepreneurship’ dimension to our Blackstone Launchpad programme, a unique programme geared towards promoting entrepreneurship among NUI Galway undergraduates

Investment in mindfulness has the potential to bring about significant positive change in the lives of our students and our staff through reduced stress and enhanced mental clarity and performance. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step; NUI Galway is taking that step!

www.nuigalway.ie/mindfulway

Professor Lokesh Joshi is Vice-President for Research at NUI Galway