A Community-Based Group Mindfulness Program: Mental Health and Wellbeing Promotion Among Immigrant Communities

Migrants and refugees are recognized as among the population groups that are especially vulnerable to mental health conditions and disorders. A comprehensive population health framework requires that culturally responsive and trauma-informed mental health care are accompanied by mental health and well-being promotion for individuals, families, and communities. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have become very popular around the world. This chapter provides an overview of the limited international literature on the use of MBIs to promote mental health and well-being among immigrants in Western countries, and showcases the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Mindfulness Program that was developed in Sydney, Australia, as an example of good practice. The Program began with an Arabic-language Compact Disc (CD) that was used as a clinical resource and self-management tool. Over the course of a decade, it was transformed into a low-intensity mental health intervention and community well-being initiative—a community-based group program delivered in partnership with community organizations. Program delivery and workforce capacity building were supported by the development of audio resources in eight languages (Arabic, Bangla, Chinese—Cantonese and Mandarin, Greek, Nepali, Spanish, and English) and video resources in three languages (Arabic, Bangla, and English). While the Program was developed in an Australian context, it is likely to have relevance for other immigration nations. Future directions include scaling up across the mental health system and exploring the potential for incorporating evidence-based MBIs in other health promotion programs, such as healthy eating and smoking cessation.