BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University at Buffalo’s School of Nursing is finding the advantage in remote services by providing mental health support to city residents who have been struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Mellowing Mind Study is seeking adults primarily from low-income, African American neighborhoods to engage in mindfulness-related activities and discussions from the comforts of their own home. It’s a unique way to help underserved communities during difficult times.

What You Need To Know

  • The University at Buffalo's School of Nursing is conducting the Mellowing Mind study to offer mental health support to those affected by the pandemic

  • Target participants are low-income Buffalo residents from African American neighborhoods

  • Organizers of the study look to address disparities in mental health treatment while promoting community engagement

  • The study is fully virtual, comprised of ZOOM sessions and an app for participants

“I think one thing that happened with the pandemic is that it really brought to light existing issues," said Mellowing Mind project coordinator Courtney Hanny. "These things aren’t necessarily new. It’s just that suddenly everyone’s very aware of health inequities and service inequities.”

Three respective groups of participants will either engage in professionally moderated group sessions, use a mobile app to practice mindfulness independently or be enrolled in a waitlist group that will also receive the app.

While the past year has required people to rely on technology more than ever, organizers of the study believe that participants can use their devices and familiarity with remote environments to their advantage in maintaining healthy minds.

“There’s just hope that we can stay connected, not only with each other, but within ourselves and be able to continue to have these raw check-ins and really start pulling back some of the layers of those deeply rooted issues,” said Mellowing Mind community engagement coordinator Danielle Balling.

While mindfulness practices are largely thought to promote focus on personal wellbeing, it can also be a critical component to relationships with others.

“With the constraints on interactions now, where they’re sometimes more limited and you don’t see people all the time, it can be helpful to have that tool as well to get as much as you can out of those interactions,” Hanny said. “Instead of maybe having that limitation cause more tension, which then affects your own mood for the day, your own mental health and physical health, too.”

Study composers hope that even beyond the Mellowing Mind study, participants will be able to stay connected to healthier versions of themselves moving forward and fully grasp what mindfulness means to them.

“I think for me, it’s been really kind of being in that present moment, and what does that mean for you?” Balling said. “Does it mean that you’re not making a checklist for tomorrow or a checklist for tonight, worrying about something that happened yesterday; just, what is going on today and how can I be fully present for it.”

For more information on the Mellowing Mind study, email mellowingmind@buffalo.edu or call (716) 829-2037 or fill out an interest form here.