The urgency and opportunity resulting from the many changes resulting from Covid-19 on how people live their lives and manage uncertainties, altered daily routines, financial pressures, and social isolation. The Mayo Clinic reported a significant increase in US adults reporting symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia during the pandemic compared with surveys before the pandemic. “Our research underscores the ongoing mental health crisis facing first responders, which has become a perfect storm that combines the existing dangers of their work and the toll exerted by the pandemic,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Tragically, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant spike in suicide rates, especially within the healthcare community. Military suicides have increased 20 percent in 2019 and 30% in 2020, with incidents of violent behavior spiking as service members struggle under COVID-19, war-zone deployments, national disasters, and civil unrest. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) observed that meditation and mindfulness practices support healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers, and the general public during times of crisis, such as the recent global pandemic caused by COVID-19.

While there are many forms of meditation and mindfulness practices, all translate well to different populations across the lifespan and range of abilities. Introducing a mindfulness and meditation practice during this pandemic has the potential to complement treatment and is a low-cost beneficial method of providing support with anxiety for all. According to Pew Research, the two age cohorts who most benefit from mediation at least once a week are Younger Millennials (18-29) and Baby Boomers 65+