Engaging foster care transitional age youth in mental health services through yoga and mindfulness: A grant proposa

Transitional Age Youth (TAY) involved with the child welfare system experience incidences of mental illness at disproportionately higher rates than the general population. As a result, this population is at higher risk of experiencing incarceration, homelessness, and substance use. A review of the literature revealed that that there is an overall mistrust of and dissatisfaction with traditional mental health services available to TAY. Research points to yoga and mindfulness therapy as alternative therapeutic approach that effectively reduces symptoms related to mental illness. The purpose of this project was to develop a yoga and mindfulness therapy program for TAY with the goals of promoting resilience, increasing emotional regulation, improving positive mental health, and effectively engaging the participants in their mental health treatment. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not required for the successful completion of this thesis project.