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President's Corner

In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of prioritizing self-care and wellness cannot be overstated. Academic pressure, social anxieties and the downsides of the digital age all increase young people’s stress levels.

Students today are paying particular attention to their own and others’ social-emotional well-being as they navigate the complexities of K-12 education, the pressures and distortions of social media, and a culture shift destigmatizing openness about mental health.

Now a growing number of educators and policymakers are championing explicitly integrating self-care and wellness programs into school curricula.

Studies have shown that incorporating mindfulness practices, stress management techniques and physical activity into the school day can profoundly affect students’ overall well-being. When students feel emotionally and physically supported, they are better equipped to:

Reduce mental health issues. Early intervention and prevention measures can identify and address mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.

Improve academic performance. Reduced stress and anxiety can enhance focus, memory and cognitive function, leading to better grades and increased engagement in learning.

Enhance social-emotional learning. Self-care practices foster self-awareness, empathy and healthy relationships with peers and adults.

Develop healthy habits. Integrating physical activity and healthy eating habits into the school day promotes lifelong wellness.

Schools can’t effectively address the complex needs of students alone. Partnerships with community organizations can contribute to successful self-care and wellness programs. These collaborations can:

Expand resources. Partners can provide access to specialized services like yoga and meditation classes, nutrition education and mental health counseling, which may not be readily available within the school system.

Enhance cultural relevance. Community organizations can offer programs that are culturally sensitive and responsive to the unique needs of diverse students and families.

Increase access. Partnerships can remove barriers such as transportation and cost so families can participate in wellness programs.

Foster community support. Collaborations can build stronger connections between schools and the community, creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for students and their families.

For example, 15th Night is a district-community partnership that helps students in and around Eugene, Ore., navigate school, life and homelessness. The volunteer-supported nonprofit organization has helped nearly 800 unhoused youth since its inception by providing access to a coordinated network of community resources, including food, shelter, medical services and employment, as well as just-in-time donor help with needs such as shoes, school supplies, short-stay housing and topic-tailored counseling.

Many school districts nationwide partner with community health centers to provide students onsite medical, dental and mental health services. These centers improve access to care, reduce absenteeism and promote healthy development.

Several communities offer mobile crisis response teams to support students in need, and others are expanding their telehealth services to meet community mental health needs more effectively.

Integrating self-care and wellness into K-12 education is an ongoing process. Continued collaboration between schools, community organizations and policymakers is essential to ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive.

Gustavo Balderas is ÂÜÀòÍøpresident in 2024-25.