MindUP for Life

MindUP for Life helps you develop the mental fitness to build a happier, healthier and more balanced life. MindUP teaches the strategies and skills you need to find optimism, build resilience and create solutions for life's challenges. Based firmly in neuroscience, MindUP teaches the skills and knowledge children need to regulate their stress and emotion, form positive relationships, and act with kindness and compassion.

There are three different programs associated with MindUP:

  • MindUP for Life
  • MindUP for Schools
  • MindUP for Families

MindUP focuses on four pillars:

  • neuroscience
  • social-emotional learning (SEL)
  • positive psychology
  • mindful awareness

MindUP provides the vehicle for whole-child, whole-school, whole-community transformation offering programs including resources and training for:

  • educators
  • administrators
  • families
  • adults

MindUP was created in response to the global epidemic of:

  • childhood aggression
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • suicide

This program is approved for WV Expanded School Mental Health.



Last reviewed: 2023


Intended Outcomes:

The following are intended outcomes for children who have received MindUP:

  • Improved stress regulation as assessed by the stress hormone, cortisol
  • Improved academic performance, especially in math and language arts
  • More prosocial, trustworthy, and liked by their peers
  • Enhanced tools and strategies for self-regulation
  • Positive effects on reducing aggression and managing stress
  • Increased optimism and happiness
  • Improved attention

Continuum of Care:
Selective Prevention, Universal Prevention

Topic Areas:
Anxiety, Behavioral Health/Mental Health, Depression, Disruptive Behaviors, Suicide

Ages:
Childhood (4-12)

Geographic Locations:
Rural, Urban

Delivery Settings:
Community-Based, School-Based, Virtual

Cultural Considerations:
Limited research found involving diverse populations

Audience:
This program is for children grades Pre-K-8.

Credentials:
There are multiple virtual trainings available for schools, districts, administrators and families. Depending on the program, necessary credentials vary. Please contact the program developers for more information: hello@mindup.org

Manuals:
Yes

Is Training Required?
Yes, see developer info

Who can provide the required training?
MindUP provides virtual trainings. Please see the following for more information: https://mindup.org/training-opportunities/

Program Costs (materials, training, etc.):
Yes, refer to program website

Program/Practice Website:
https://mindup.org

Relevant Published, Peer-Reviewed Research:

Crooks, C.V., Bax, K., Delaney, A., Kim, H., & Shokoohi, M. (2020) Impact of MindUP™ among young children: Improvements in behavioral problems, adaptive skills, and executive functioning. Mindfulness 11, 2433–2444.

de Carvalho, J. S., Pinto, A. M., & Marôco, J. (2017). Results of a mindfulness-based social-emotional learning program on Portuguese elementary students and teachers: A quasi-experimental study. Mindfulness, 8(2), 337-350.

Hai, A.H., Franklin, C., Cole Jr., A.H., Panisch, L.S., Yan, Y., & Jones, K. (2021). Impact of MindUP on elementary school students’ classroom behaviors: A single case design pilot study. Children and Youth Services Review, 125, 105981.

Matsuba, M. K., Schonert-Reichl, K. A., McElroy, T., & Katahoire, A. (2020) Effectiveness of a SEL/Mindfulness Program on Northern Ugandan children. International Journal of School and Educational Psychology

Schonert-Reichl, K. A., Oberle, E., Lawlor, M. S., Abbott, D., Thomson, K., Oberlander, T. F., & Diamond, A. (2015). Enhancing cognitive and social-emotional development through a simple-to administer mindfulness-based school program for elementary school children: A randomized controlled trial. Developmental Psychology, 51, 52–66.

Thierry, K. L., Bryant, H. L., Nobles, S. S., & Norris, K. S. (2016). Two-year impact of a mindfulness-based program on preschoolers’ self-regulation and academic performance. Early Education and Development, 27(6), 805-821.

Kim, S., Crooks, C. V., Bax, K., & Shokoohi, M. (2021). Impact of trauma-informed training and mindfulness-based social-emotional learning program on teacher attitudes and burnout: A mixed-methods study. School Mental Health, 13, 55-68

Schonert-Reichl, K. A., & Lawlor, M. S. (2010). The effects of a mindfulness-based education program on pre- and early adolescents’ well-being and social and emotional competence. Mindfulness, 1, 137–151.

Additional Sources:

https://pg.casel.org/mindup/
https://cdn.mindup.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/MindUP-Hybrid-Training-Package-Overview.pdf

Supported By Research

WV Rating:
Supported by Research
»WV Ratings Info

Rationale for Rating:

This program did not have a significant amount of research available. Six studies were included in the research review. Of the six studies, one was a randomized controlled trial. All studies reviewed showed evidence of positive outcomes.

Contraindications or Concerns:
None identified

Other Registries/Ratings

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare:
Not On Registry

Blueprints for Healthy Youth Development:
Not On Registry

Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness:
Unclear +

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Model Programs Guide:
Promising - More than one study

Washington State Institute for Public Policy:
Not On Registry