To the editor:
Wellesley Middle School should make mental health a primary focus in supporting its students by providing more accessible resources for the kids. This would look like creating “calm down” or quiet spaces, a staffed room where students can go for 5-10 minutes when feeling overwhelmed, without it being treated as a disciplinary issue. Due to the rising number of teens struggling with mental health, calm-down or quiet spaces are important in schools. It could be located near the nurse’s office so the nurse can keep an eye on students in the space, or there could be staff that rotates. The goal would be to help students manage their emotions and return to class calm and ready to learn. Parents would not be notified for occasional use, but if a student needs the space frequently, the school would reach out to work together on a plan.
It is important for schools like Wellesley Middle School to have spaces designated for students to regulate their emotions. According to Kirsten Weir of the American Psychological Association, one in seven 10-19 years old experience a mental disorder. Depression, anxiety, and behavioral struggles are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Previous generations tended to ignore mental health issues because of a lack of information. Parents sometimes act like adolescent mental health issues don’t really matter or are being made up because they didn’t think this was an issue when they were younger.
Some may wonder if calming rooms are necessary in Wellesley. But think of them less as a fix for a problem and more as a way to support well-being. We teach students math and writing. We can also teach them how to self-regulate.
Awareness without action is just sympathy, so let’s raise awareness gently and act thoughtfully. A calming room in every school is simply a kind, sensible step for a community that cares about teens.
Simone Jones
Wellesley Middle School 8th grader
