High school students in Ames now have a space where they can work on mental health during class. Brain Health Retreat Room opened in his October. Deputy principal Nicole Patton said the idea was prompted by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. “We saw this anxiety, great anxiety coming in,” Patton said. This room is open from 7:50 a.m. to 7:50 a.m. every day during the school week. 3:30pm Counselors are always in the room to assist students with any issues they may be facing. Children are allowed in for 15 minutes at a time. “We really want kids to come into this room and feel like they have a safe space,” Patton said. According to the school, 72 students visited the room a total of 145 times during his first four months. The room is scheduled for a grand opening at the beginning of his 2024-25 academic year. The room is funded by Brain Health Now, an organization that wants to destigmatize mental illness. Several other schools in the state have similar classrooms.
High school students in Ames now have a space where they can address mental health during class.
The Brain Health Retreat Room opened in October. Deputy principal Nicole Patton said the idea was prompted by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We saw this anxiety, intense anxiety coming in,” Patton said.
This room is open every day during the school week from 7:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Counselors are always in the room to assist students with any issues they may be facing. Children may enter for up to 15 minutes at a time.
“We really want kids to come into this room and feel like they have a safe space,” Patton said.
According to the school, 72 students visited the room a total of 145 times in the first four months. The room is scheduled for a grand opening at the start of his 2024-25 academic year.
The room is funded by Brain Health Now, an organization that wants to destigmatize mental illness. Several other schools in the state have similar classrooms.
