J Mental Health Addic Nurs Vol 1(1):e30-e34; March 15, 2017 This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International License. © 2017 Whitehorn et al. e30 Journal of MENTAL HEALTH and ADDICTION NURSING A MINDFULNESS-BASED SUPPORT GROUP FOR FAMILIES IN EARLY PSYCHOSIS: A PILOT QUALITATIVE STUDY David Whitehorn, PhD, MSN¹; Mary E. Campbell, RN, MSN, CS²; Patricia Cosgrove, MSW, RPP 1,3 ; Sabina Abidi, MD, FRCPC 1,4 ; Philip G. Tibbo, MD, FRCPC 1,3,5 1 Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 2 Dalhousie University School of Nursing, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 3 Nova Scotia Health Authority – Central Zone, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 4 Psychiatrist, IWK Health Centre, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia. 5 Professor, Dr. Paul Janssen Chair in Psychotic Disorders, Dalhousie University; Director, Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program, Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Corresponding Author:Phil.Tibbo@nshealth.ca Submitted: December 14, 2016. Accepted: March 10, 2017. Published: March 15, 2017. Abstract Background and Objectives To explore a mindfulness-based support group for parents of young people in care for a first episode of psychosis with an Early Intervention Service (EIS). Material and Methods Family members in EIS were recruited for a one year research protocol with 8 group sessions during which mindfulness practices were introduced. Participants were supported in developing an ongoing mindful- ness practice. Focus groups and individual interviews provided data for qualitative analysis of participant experience. Results Participants reported that mindfulness practice was associated with (1) a greater sense of ease, (2) increased awareness, (3) less emotional reactivity, and (4) improved interpersonal relationships. Factors involved in developing a sustained mindfulness practice included the age and stage of illness of the offspring, the stage of family development and prior exposure to mindfulness. Conclusions Sustained mindfulness practice, developed in the context of a mindfulness-based family support group, can provide support in regard to coping and communication for parents of young people in care for a first episode of psychosis. Further exploration of the use of mindfulness to support families encountering mental illness seems warranted. Key Words: family therapy, mindfulness, pilot project, schizophrenia, qualitative research Support for family caregivers of people with mental illness is an essential and often overlooked component of optimal care. 1 Parents of young people who are newly diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, for example, face the daunting task of supporting their offspring and, at the same time, managing their own response to having a child who is seriously ill. 2 Support for families is an increasingly important is- sue in early phase psychosis (EPP) 3 and a number of programs to help families cope and adjust have been developed with positive outcomes, including group psychoeducational sessions and family support groups. 4,5 Mindfulness practices have been found to be helpful in supporting coping in both clinical and non-clinical DOI: 10.22374/jmhan.v1i1.11