Jewish mental health activist to spearhead ‘world’s largest mindfulness lesson’

A Jewish mental health campaigner based in London is spearheading “the world’s largest mindfulness lesson” next month.

Jonny Benjamin, whose initiative will raise money for his new charity, is asking schools across the world to take part for 30 minutes at 11am on Friday 10 May.

The half-hour will include relaxation techniques and breathing exercises as an introduction to mindfulness, after a major poll last year found that 48 percent of parents were worried about their children’s mental health in relation to exams.

“It’s so important for young children to recognise feelings of anxiety, be able to speak openly about how they are feeling, and learn how to handle them,” said Benjamin, whose own mental health problems led to a suicide attempt.

“Learning about one’s mind and emotional regulation are invaluable skills that can’t be taught early enough.”

Teachers and students returning from their Easter break will take part in the initiative, called ‘A Mindful Moment,’ using ClassDojo, the world’s most-widely used communication app for primary schools.

Benjamin, whose new charity is called ‘Beyond Shame Beyond Stigma,’ is hoping that tens of millions of children will take part and that the experience will encourage teachers to incorporate mindfulness techniques into their daily routines.