Why you should read this article:

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To familiarise yourself with the principles of mindfulness

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To be aware of the potential benefits of mindfulness for people with learning disabilities

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To understand how mindfulness sessions can be adapted to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities

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Learning disability nurses can support service users to access appropriate mindfulness-based interventions and monitor outcomes

The use of mindfulness in people with learning disabilities and co-morbid physical and/or mental health conditions is becoming increasingly common. Various studies have demonstrated its usefulness in managing conditions such as anxiety and depression, as well as reducing aggression and behaviour that challenges in this population. This article explores the evidence base to support the benefits of mindfulness for people with learning disabilities and details the role of learning disability nurses in supporting service users to use mindfulness effectively. It also provides examples of mindfulness exercises and suggests how such interventions can be adapted to meet the individuals’ needs.