The following program is only being offered for St. Joseph’s Health Centre patients

Outpatient Mental Health is delighted to announce that St. Joseph’s Health Centre will be providing online Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Transitional Age Youth.

Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy providing tools and strategies for preventing depressive relapse, as well as reducing depression, anxiety and stress. These sessions will allow participants to learn to manage anxiety and prevent the relapse of depression with a live facilitator online.

This program is being offered through the Centre for Mindfulness Studies and it is being offered free of charge for St. Joseph’s Health Centre patients between the ages of 18 to 26 years old. There will be a total of 8 weekly online sessions running for 2.5 hours each, the first set of group sessions will take place from April 2021 to June 2021 on Monday Mornings and another session will start in June 2021 and end in July 2021. Please note that there is a maximum capacity for each of the sessions, so we encourage those interested to speak to their psychiatrist. Psychiatrist can completed the referral form below and click ‘Submit’ on the PDF.

For additional information, please see the attached MBCT Patient Group Poster as well as the Frequently Asked Questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)

• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) is an evidence-based group therapy for preventing depressive relapse and treating mood disorders. It reduces depression, anxiety and stress.
• Mindfulness is a non-judgmental way of paying attention to the present moment. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is designed to bring awareness to the habitual negative thinking that leads to depressive and anxious spirals. Combined, MBCT interrupts how we habitually react to situations, so we can choose to respond in more skillful ways.
• Research has demonstrated MBCT is as effective as antidepressants in the prevention of depressive relapse or recurrence. (Kuyken, 2008)

2. What can I expect to learn or gain from MBCT?

• Skills and practices to manage depression, anxiety and prevent relapse. By learning to identify the triggers and symptoms of anxiety and depression, participants can effectively address these issues as they arise in everyday life.
• A commitment to attendance and home practice activities is required. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend a day-long silent retreat but it is an optional part of the program.

3. Program Details

• Cost: Free
• Location: Online/Virtual (using Zoom)
• # of Sessions: There are a total of 8 weekly sessions, each session runs 2.5 hours
• Date: starts September 2nd – details below

Intake Interviews (via telephone): Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 2pm – 4pm and Friday, September 3, 2021 | 10am – 12pm and Wednesday, September 8, 2021 | 10am – 12pm
Orientation & Session 1: Thursday, September 9, 2021 | 5:30pm – 8:30pm
Sessions 2-8: Thursdays September 16 – October 28, 2021 | 5:30pm – 8pm
Note: Eligible participants must complete a series of questionnaires before the mandatory intake interview (via telephone)
Additional sessions will be offered in the fall/winter.

4. Criteria to participate in MBCT Groups

• Must be a patient of St. Joseph’s Health Centre / Unity Health Toronto.
• Must be within the ages of 18 and 26.
• A commitment to attendance and home practice activities is required. Participants are strongly encouraged to attend a day-long silent retreat but it is an optional part of the program.
• Must be able to commit to minimum 7 of the 8 sessions.
• Must participate in the Intake Interview and Orientation.
• Technical Requirements

For more Information or questions about the program, please contact Helen or Becky (Helen.Munt@unityhealth.to or  becky.curran@unityhealth.to).