Senior Lauren Estrada says that lately her anxiety levels have been rising while her school performance has been declining. Feeling buried with this stress on a daily basis, Lauren needed to find an escape.

To help students like Lauren, the campus Wellness Center offers a space to cope with stress and to reset emotionally. “The Wellness Center has been a reliable place for me to destress and find some time to ground myself,” Lauren said.

Recent studies show the overwhelming need to improve teens’ mental health. 42% of U.S. high school students have experienced depression or feelings of chronic sadness according to the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Four in every 10 high schoolers report feeling daily hopelessness. Reports show that 29% of teens feel that their mental health is at an all-time low.

The FUHS Wellness Center offers seven stations, including calming activities like journaling, coloring, fidgeting, aromatherapy, zen gardening and playing hands-on games. Decompressing is an important part of your wellness, which all of these pursuits allow you to do. 

In most cases, students need a referral from a counselor to visit the Wellness Center during class time. However, students can check out the Wellness Center at break and lunch. Mental health specialist David Saldana says the space is not a lounge nor is it for hanging out with friends during class time. But if a student sincerely needs to explore some of the calming activities, they are welcome to do so on most days 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Location

Calming Space

Assistant principal Carey Aiello created wall art using recycled materials including cardboard pizza boxes. Some of the furniture was purchased with district money, but much of the furniture was restored and painted from second-hand stores. Many items were from Aiello’s own home. Photo teacher Gabby Kudron also donated a table for the Wellness Center. “Designing the Wellness Center was a way of satisfying my need to create,” Aiello said. The space is clean but comfortable with relaxing music and dimmed lighting.

Checking In

Sometimes daily pressures get to be too much. Often it’s not a single problem, but the piling on of things like failing a test, fighting with your mom and fearing your friend doesn’t trust you anymore—all in the same day.

You also fear that Just One More Thing will be your breaking point. Before that happens, you might want to ask for a referral to the Wellness Center. A 15-minute break might be just what you need to reset your mind and body. Asking for a referral will also give school officials a chance to check in on you and find out if you might also need to speak with a psychologist or counselor about your problems.

After scanning a code, you will complete a few questions asking how you are feeling and what brought you into the center. You will indicate if you wish to speak to one of the mental health specialists, or if you just need to spend some time in the center. If you are new to the space, a specialist will lead you through various stations and what each provides. Below are three stations the Tribe Tribune researched.

Fidget Station

Coming to the realization that you finally know what senioritis feels like can be frustrating. Not only does your final year of high school put a heavy strain on you, but outside responsibilities can weigh you down. If daily duties such as meeting deadlines, running errands and doing chores put strain on your mental health, it’s normal. And Fullerton is here to support you. If you need to release some tension, you might try the fidgets in the Wellness Center.

For centuries, fidgeting has been a part of human nature. Even if you don’t think you do, your brain naturally guides you to fidget on a daily basis. If you’ve ever repeatedly clicked a ballpoint pen, played with your hair, or even tapped your feet on the floor, you’re fidgeting. Your body wants to naturally relieve stress, which is why this station is included in the Wellness Center. 

Sand Garden Station

Feeling insecure? Having relationship problems? Stuck in a loop, not knowing what to do? If you feel overwhelmed, but you’re not quite ready to talk to a professional mental health professional, maybe you need some Think Time. Try the zen garden located at the Wellness Center. No matter how overwhelmed you’re feeling, you can always come to the sand to just allow yourself to breathe and relax for 15 minutes or so. 

There are multiple zen gardens spread out around the space that are open for student use. The space provides buildings, bridges, and other sorts of decor for students to build with.

Coloring Station

Coping with loss is a challenge. You need to take the time to heal, and eventually you’ll need to learn to let go as well. If you’re feeling grief due to the loss of a pet or maybe just feeling the loss of your own teen years as you age, the coloring station in the Wellness Center invites you to brighten your world. Coloring might remind you of a fond moment, like shading in coloring books as a child. The activity can bring you peace by allowing you to think about something else (coloring) with part of your attention while simultaneously working through your problems with the other part of your brain.

Mindful coloring can promote relaxation and help reduce stress. It takes your attention away from yourself and puts your focus on the present-moment activity. Coloring books, markers, and colored pencils are available while you visit the Wellness Center.

Find Your Calm