Developing a School-Based Mindfulness Programme for Stress Reduction Among Senior Secondary Students in Kaduna State

Mindfulness-based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness for stress and anxiety reduction among adolescents internationally, and their adaptation for the Nigerian secondary school context offers a promising evidence-based approach for school counsellors. This study developed and piloted a school-based mindfulness programme for stress reduction among Senior Secondary School students in Kaduna, Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. A programme development and pilot evaluation approach was adopted. The programme was developed through review of validated school mindfulness curricula including MindUP and .b, consultations with eight secondary school counsellors, and adaptation workshops ensuring cultural and Islamic-informed contextualisation of mindfulness practices. The adapted programme comprises eight weekly one-hour sessions covering mindful awareness, breath-focused attention, body scan, mindful movement, emotion mindfulness, interpersonal mindfulness, thought observation, and integration for daily stress management. Pilot delivery with 35 SS2 students was evaluated using the Perceived Stress Scale and a mindfulness awareness measure (CAMM) at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6-week follow-up. Significant reductions in perceived stress were observed post-intervention (p < 0.001) with gains maintained at follow-up. Mindfulness awareness scores increased significantly (p < 0.001). Student attendance across eight sessions was 89.4 percent. Facilitator school counsellors rated the programme as feasible and acceptable. The study recommends broader pilot testing across Kaduna State schools and development of Hausa-language session materials for wider North West application. Keywords: mindfulness programme, stress reduction, secondary school students, Kaduna State, school counselling