Wellness is a concept that’s increasingly being embraced in American schools and universities. More K-12 districts are setting aside time during the school day for students to meditate, do yoga, and participate in mindfulness exercises. Teachers say that doing so is helping them address the mental health challenges an increasing number of students are experiencing.
Studies have found that mindfulness programs can be helpful, particularly in low-income areas where youth experience a lot of stress and trauma.
Related Article: Student Mental Health: Reset Rooms Can Help Create a Safe Space in Schools
In Georgia, GreenLight Fund Atlanta is helping schools connect with local nonprofits to help schools pay for mindfulness programs, reports the Associated Press. One of the K-12 campuses benefitting from the program is Roberta T. Smith Elementary School. The program is being funded by Clayton County Public Schools. During a short meditation practice that is held during the school day, students close their eyes, and a recording leads them through a meditation routine.
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Another approach to student wellness being adopted by some school districts is reset rooms. These are predetermined locations where students can go to regulate their feelings when they are stressed or overwhelmed.
“This is a place where a student can practice mind/body skills or role-play how they can repair situations that have happened in class or during unstructured times” says Katie Francis, Ed.S. a trauma and resilience educator. “This is an opportunity for a student to share what has happened AFTER they have time to cool down. This space will offer students choices in how/what they need to get back to baseline.”
Campus Wellness Programs Have a Positive Impact
The positive impact these approaches have can be significant.
In Francis’ program, within the first six months of implementation, her team saw a 75% decrease in major behavioral referrals and suspensions at the elementary level.
“In addition to that drastic shift, we saw some of the highest growth in academics in our entire district,” she adds.
Comfort K9s are another wellness approach being adopted by K-12 districts as well as institutions of higher education across the country.
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis), debuted its first specialized therapy K-9 last fall.
Related Article: University of Illinois Police Comfort K9s Make a Huge Impact
Cali is a 14-month-old Labrador retriever and is the newest member of UC Davis PD’s CORE, or Community Outreach and Engagement, Officer Program’s K-9 unit. She specializes in assisting with mental health and crises and is the police department’s first specialized therapy dog for students, staff and faculty.
What is your campus doing to boost student, staff, patient, and visitor wellness?
Related Article: 4 Ways to Prioritize Student Mental and Physical Health Through School Design
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