[SEEDS OF MINDFULNESS IN THE DESERT: PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM A CLINICAL TRIAL IN THE MINDFULNESS CLINIC MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, BEER SHEVA].

INTRODUCTION: Mindfulness-based therapies are rooted in the Buddhist tradition, and promote cultivation of qualities such as open awareness, acceptance and compassion. While various studies have demonstrated the efficacy of integrating mindfulness in therapeutic practice for people suffering from clinical conditions such as depression and anxiety as well as the non-clinical population, this was rarely replicated in Israel. In the Mindfulness Clinic, located in the Mental Health Center, Beer Sheva, mindfulness workshops are now available for diverse populations dealing with various challenges such as daily stress, chronic pain, and depression.

AIMS: This article aims to describe the effects of mindfulnessbased workshops in a mixed sample, via the examination of various outcome variables such as quality of life, depression and anxiety symptoms, mindfulness, self-compassion and self-criticism.

METHODS: Self-report questionnaires provided before and after the workshop.

RESULTS: Results: Preliminary results demonstrated that among 18 participants in mindfulness workshops during the period November 2013 till March 2014, a significant improvement was observed for most of the variables. In addition, effect sizes were measured, demonstrating medium to large effects, with the largest effect size for self-compassion.

DISCUSSION: These preliminary results demonstrate the time limited efficacy of Mindfulness Workshops in a mixed sample. In addition, it is conceivable that mindfulness-based workshop may provide an effective preventive and/or therapeutic approach for people living in the south of Israel, who were facing an ongoing rackets' threat in recent years. In the future, this hypothesis should be examined empirically.