Mental health in the community starts with the attitudes of justice, social equity and caring within the providers. Community health centers provide care for the uninsured and actively work to remove barriers to access treatment. This is a very demanding job for most health care providers. Mindfulness practice may create a work environment capable of sustaining the high demands placed on community health care providers.
Part one, an 8- week mindfulness course is being given to with psychiatric NP residents at Thundermist Community Health Center. Part two, is 8 weeks of mindfulness practice and application to patient care. NP residents will be given measures of work satisfaction and mindfulness before and after the 16 week course. Goal is to develop a mindfulness program as part of the residency programs to all disciplines and staff at Thundermist. Creating a caring and collaborative environment for patients and sustainability for providers in training.
