Many students in elementary,  middle school, high school, and college are experiencing mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, PTSD or just need someone to talk to. All these students with such disorders continue to be in distress during the day because they are not able to get help from a psychological counselor in school. Some schools, less than 40%, provide a mental health services for students. That means that on  60% of campuses, students are not able to get the help they need, when they need it. Having mental health centers in schools gives students the opportunity to releive themselves of the stress weighing on them.

I recently visited the University of Oregon campus and fell in love. The campus itself was beautiful, their academic programs were interesting and challenging, but what really impressed me was The Duck Nest Wellness Center. The Duck Nest Wellness Center provides students a space to relax and de-stress. The center offers nap rooms, workshops, presentations and tabling events to distract and redirect. Students in need of more direct intervention can access one-on-one therapy with a certified counselor. Overall, the goal of The Duck Nest is to help students heal, feel comfortable, and to express their feeling in a constructive manner.

I feel this is something we should have at Lincoln; a Hornet Nest. a place where students can sign up to take a mental and emotional breaks during the school day. Student could stop in during nutrition break, lunch time or when they simply need someone to talk to. It doesn't need to be as involved as The Duck Nest, at least not at first. It could just be a quiet place to decompress, redirect, and talk with someone they are comfortable with instead of ignoring the issue, or trying to cope alone. Everyone needs a break once in a while. The Hornet Nest could be a place where students are reminded, “If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit.”

UPDATE 12/3/24

Thanks to Maddie Heeren, a case manager with SAY San Diego for the update. Lincoln does, in fact, already have a walk in Mental Health center of sorts, "It is our center, room 601, we call it 'Real Connections.' Students are welcome to stop in at anytime during the day if they need a moment to decompress, a quiet place to process difficult emotions, or if they need someone to talk to! Teachers are also welcome to send students to us, should they feel the student needs a space such as this. We are open every school day from 8am-4:30pm.