Evaluating a mindfulness mobile phone app in a University student population

INTERVENTION: The mindfulness app that will be used is Headspace, a commercially available app. The questionnaires will be delivered via computer or mobile phone, and the mindfulness content will be delivered via mobile phone. The content within the app is delivered via audio files and streamed video demonstrations. The intervention will be 6 weeks in duration and participants are requested to complete 30 meditation sessions (an average of 5 per week) during this time. Each session lasts 10‐15 minutes. The content of the sessions focus on introducing the concept of mindfulness, practical tips for practicing mindfulness meditation and a guided body‐scan meditation. Later sessions introduce a breath counting exercise during the guided meditations and develop a greater emphasis on non‐judgmental awareness. This content was developed and delivered by Andy Puddicombe who is an internationally recognised expert in mindfulness practice and teaching. Objective adherence data will be collected through the Headspace accounts of the participants. The following data will be collected from the Headspace app: Pack name (e.g. Basics); session number (e.g. 1), time and date stamp for each completed session; session duration; platform the session was completed on. CONDITION: Mental Health ‐ Anxiety Mental Health ‐ Depression Mental Health ‐ Other mental health disorders Stress;Depression;Anxiety; ; Stress ; Depression ; Anxiety PRIMARY OUTCOME: Stress measured by the Perceived Stress Scale[Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months] SECONDARY OUTCOME: Anxiety symptoms as measured by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD7)[Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months] Depression symptoms as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ9)[Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months] Self efficacy/coping as measured by the General Self Efficacy Scale (GSE)[Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months] Sleep quality as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)[Baseline, 6 weeks, 3 months] INCLUSION CRITERIA: Be 18 years and older Be enrolled at UNSW as determined by self‐report Own a smart phone (android or IOS)