A controlled study published in The Lancet revealed that mindfulness training helps to build resilience and improve mental health in university students. The study involved 600 Cambridge students assigned randomly to two groups. Both groups were offered counselling services and usual university or NHS support. One group was also offered an 8-week mindfulness course comprising weekly group sessions and home practice, including mindfulness meditation and mindfulness in daily life.

Researchers found that students without mindfulness training became increasingly stressed throughout the academic year. Those receiving mindfulness training showed reduced distress scores, compared to their scores at the start of the study, even during the most stressful time of summer exams.

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(17)30231-1/fulltext?elsca1=tlxpr