LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield has announced that 75 schools in Arkansas have been selected to receive $2,500 each to create calming rooms to address the mental well-being of Arkansas students.
The company announced its Take Good Care Calming Room initiative in July and
began accepting applications from schools August 1. According to state data, more than
14%, or 83,135 Arkansas children and teens, are dealing with anxiety and depression.
Calming rooms give students a quiet place to reflect and refocus so they can perform
their best when they return to the classroom.
“The same way students have difficulty focusing in class when they are hungry or tired,
they can’t be their best selves in the classroom or at home if they are dealing with
issues like stress and anxiety,” said Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield President
and CEO Curtis Barnett. “In recognition of Arkansas Blue Cross’ 75th Anniversary and
our company's commitment to improving access to behavioral health resources, we are
investing in the creation of calming rooms in 75 Arkansas schools as one way to
support better mental health for students.”
Calming rooms provide a space to help students regulate their emotions and often
feature items such as:
• Soft lighting
• Tranquil colors
• Comfortable furniture
• Positive, inspirational messages
• Journals, coloring books and other sensory objects
“In addition to improved behavioral health, schools with calming rooms have reported
additional benefits such as fewer disciplinary issues and better grades,” Barnett added,
referring to a study by the Boston Charter Research Collaborative. “Young people these
days face challenges many of us didn’t have growing up, like cyberbullying. Learning
how to cope with difficult things in a healthy way is a tool they can carry with them
through adulthood.”
Each school will oversee the rules and usage of their calming rooms based on the
needs of their students. The spaces can also be used for counseling sessions and
group discussions.
“Arkansas Blue Cross did not receive applications from schools in all 75 counties as
initially hoped,” Barnett said, “but we still wanted to fund 75 rooms, so we looked closely
at the applications and were able to select additional schools in a few counties.”
A special thank you to HPS Federal Coordinator Susan Gilley, Director of Special Services Amber Likes, and Behavior Instructional Specialist Andrea Sutton, for writing and winning this grant award for our students.
Harrison Public Schools - striving to meet the needs of every learner, every day, every way.
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