Thread by @teamsquarepeg

Fascinating stuff. And touches on the prevalence of mindfulness being prescribed as a low cost intervention for people who do not have the capacity to access it due to very high mental ill health needs at the time. 1/

https://twitter.com/adrianbethune/status/1499643550589677571

When my kid was in crisis & life was going sideways at breakneck speed lots of well-meaning (privileged, stable, secure, able) people, professionally and personally suggested mindfulness, including therapists! I tried it. I couldn’t focus, it left me feeling worse, 2/

and I blamed myself for not being able or good enough, which escalated destructive behaviours which led to the wellness advocates encouraging me to try again. So what’s important here is (a) keeping care person centred (b) acknowledging severe MH means the person’s 3/

brain is not able to function cognitively to access meditation (c) complex trauma & toxic stress is often unrecognised + unsupported by our healthcare system & surrounding services (d) wellbeing agenda can be ableist & discriminatory if delivered (or enforced) at the wrong time4/

But; once I was given space & permission to unravel, I was then able to start putting myself back together and eventually, able to access mindfulness. And guess what? Now I have capacity & ability & have processed much of the complex trauma, I’m enjoying the benefits. 5/

I’m able to practice gratitude. I’m able to be kind (to myself & others). It’s harmful to be told mindfulness is the panacea to wellness when you have complex, high or chronic needs. It leads to increased shame, isolation, despair. But by putting the right foundations in place 6/

and allowing time and space to process and heal the body & mind’s trauma & toxic stress, mindfulness can help and benefit the individual. But only if firm, strong, adaptive, connective foundations are in place first. Basic needs need to be met. Emotional needs & MH too. 🙏🏼✌🏻🧘🏻‍♀️