This study will assess the short and long term effects of a group-based mindfulness programme (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, MBSR) on first year medical and psychology students at the Universities of Oslo and Tromso.

The primary outcome variables are mental distress, student stress and subsequent work stress, subjective wellbeing, empathy, mindfulness and spirituality. The investigators will also study explanatory moderator and mediator variables.

The study will be a two-centre randomized controlled study involving 288 medical and psychology students from the University of Oslo and from the University of Tromso. The sample size calculation is based on a reduction in mental distress and perceived medical/psychology school stress of 20% in the intervention group. The control group will not receive an intervention. After the initial seven week course (taking place in 2009 and 2010) the intervention group will receive a follow-up session of 1.5 hours twice a year throughout their study course of 5-6 years. The follow-up period will last until 1 year after graduation in the Oslo cohort and until 3 years after graduation in the Tromso cohort.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All students in term 3 of their medical and psychology study at the University of Oslo in the autumn of 2009, and spring of 2010.
• All students in term 3 of their medical and psychology study at the University of Tromso in the autumn of 2010, and autumn of 2011.