New Space Gives Students New Mindset
District-funded Wellness Center provides coping strategies for students
By Ben Shiverdaker
District-funded Wellness Center provides coping strategies for students
By Ben Shiverdaker
Following the results of last year’s Student Voices event, the leadership class began brainstorming new and innovative ideas to help students cope with the rising trend of mental health issues on campus.
On Friday, Aug. 24, their project was carried out when the Wellness Center officially opened its doors to all students and staff. Located in the previous attendance-office room, the space can accommodate up to six people, 20 minutes at a time, in order to help them cope with their current state as well as teach them methods to use while away from the center.
Former leadership teacher Amy Hernandez took the project under her wing, stepping into the position of the Wellness Center coordinator.
“The point of this center is that students would learn how to identify what’s going on for them and then also to be able to learn about coping strategies,” said Hernandez. “Stress and anxiety have been the number one reason for students to come to the center so far, so a lot of students are finding relief in learning about these different options.”
Turning her own experiences around, ASB Vice President Luiza Albuquerque finds that her passion in creating the Wellness Center comes from a place of empathy. Albuquerque is confident that the center adds depth to the campus.
“I never felt like there was a place that I could go where I felt safe and respected, so I secluded and isolated myself a lot,” said Albuquerque. “I never want anyone else to feel the way that I felt. I now know that parents feel better about having their kids come to school because they know that they’re not just learning academics and athletics, but they’re learning coping mechanisms.”
Special education teacher Jenny Kim joined the project to help ensure that all students are able to make the most out of their educational experience. She hopes that students will take advantage of this new space to better themselves and their mindsets.
“The center is a physical space that promotes the practice and culture of wellness,” said Kim. “My hope is that we are able to extend our reach beyond the walls of the center so all students feel comfortable to reach out for help when they need it, and learn strategies to help them navigate difficult situations.”
The center is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hernandez, Kim and the rest of Wellness Center team encourage students who are in need of help to use this space to better their overall well-being and their experience on campus.
On Friday, Aug. 24, their project was carried out when the Wellness Center officially opened its doors to all students and staff. Located in the previous attendance-office room, the space can accommodate up to six people, 20 minutes at a time, in order to help them cope with their current state as well as teach them methods to use while away from the center.
Former leadership teacher Amy Hernandez took the project under her wing, stepping into the position of the Wellness Center coordinator.
“The point of this center is that students would learn how to identify what’s going on for them and then also to be able to learn about coping strategies,” said Hernandez. “Stress and anxiety have been the number one reason for students to come to the center so far, so a lot of students are finding relief in learning about these different options.”
Turning her own experiences around, ASB Vice President Luiza Albuquerque finds that her passion in creating the Wellness Center comes from a place of empathy. Albuquerque is confident that the center adds depth to the campus.
“I never felt like there was a place that I could go where I felt safe and respected, so I secluded and isolated myself a lot,” said Albuquerque. “I never want anyone else to feel the way that I felt. I now know that parents feel better about having their kids come to school because they know that they’re not just learning academics and athletics, but they’re learning coping mechanisms.”
Special education teacher Jenny Kim joined the project to help ensure that all students are able to make the most out of their educational experience. She hopes that students will take advantage of this new space to better themselves and their mindsets.
“The center is a physical space that promotes the practice and culture of wellness,” said Kim. “My hope is that we are able to extend our reach beyond the walls of the center so all students feel comfortable to reach out for help when they need it, and learn strategies to help them navigate difficult situations.”
The center is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hernandez, Kim and the rest of Wellness Center team encourage students who are in need of help to use this space to better their overall well-being and their experience on campus.