Mindfulness to help depression

A program combining mindfulness meditation with cognitive therapy to prevent depressive relapse is being offered at Dandenong Hospital in Victoria.

The eight-week program will offer techniques and tools to prevent relapse for those who have had three or more major episodes of depression but are currently well. 

The program is being offered by Monash University researchers, who earlier this year published a study into the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). 

The research backed up other studies that found that MBCT was effective in preventing relapse of major depressive episodes. It also found that MBCT was effective when combined with other specialist care or antidepressants. 


Professor Graham Meadows, Director of Southern Synergy at Monash, said many people who had major depressive episodes experienced multiple recurrences. 

“For those who have had three or more depressive episodes, there is a 90 per cent chance of them relapsing,” Professor Meadows said. 

“This program aims to help people find new ways to deal with stressful thought patterns and low mood through training in meditation-based practices and other skills.” 

The program is group-based involving up to 12 people attending a weekly two-hour session.
Monash University’s Southern Synergy is offering the program for Monash Health clients or those eligible for Monash Health services free of charge.

Those who are interested in taking part should discuss a possible referral to the program with their Monash Health treatment provider, GP or other mental health professional. 

MBCT groups will be offered on an ongoing basis so those who are currently unwell or otherwise unavailable can be placed on a waitlist for future groups. 

For more information about the MBCT program please contact Southern Synergy on 9902 9696 or email southern.synergy@monash.edu