Monarch High School in Louisville has transformed a tranquil hallway into an enchanting classroom. Dim lighting is complemented by twinkling fairy lights and cascading vines adorning one wall while another showcases the calming ambiance of an aquarium projected onto its surface.
During lunch, the room is bustling with students; some are sipping tea, others are coloring intricate designs in adult coloring books, and many settle into the inviting cushions of cozy couches. Meanwhile, a few find solace in crafting artful images in the sand within the tranquil Zen garden. Counselor Greg McDonald warmly welcomes each student, inquiring how they are doing and seeing if there is anything on their mind that requires discussion.
Despite the unfavorable reputation associated with seeking counseling, McDonald remarked that this office provides an easily accessible space for students to come in and reset when needed.
Last fall, Monarch used the grant money available after suffering from the Marshall Fire to open a Wellness Center and employ McDonald as its full-time staff. The success of this initiative has been so remarkable that the district is partnering with Impact on Education to fundraise to continue staffing the room once their grant expires at year’s end and even extend it further into other high schools within the district.
McDonald pointed out that the pandemic has brought on additional mental health issues. Combined with students’ prior stressors of high school life plus social media pressures and the devastating effects of last year’s fire around Monarch High School, there is a lot for students to handle. Unfortunately, many of these students have been unsettled due to their homes being damaged or destroyed by the quickly spreading blaze which occurred just over twelve months ago on December 30th.
Sophomore Gwyn Christensen shared how the Wellness Room has served as a source of support for the students in their struggle to cope with the aftermath of losing their home, which is even harder due to reminders that come from passing by it every day on their drive to school from the rental house located in Superior. The Wellness Room provides solace and support during this trying time.
“This place is perfect to process our thoughts,” they exclaimed. “Mr. McDonald not only listens but also genuinely hears us. It’s simply awesome being here! The atmosphere here is unparalleled compared to the rest of the school – it’s comforting and tranquil; no pressure at all.
Christensen was among multiple students who voiced they would much rather visit the Wellness Center than spend time in the library or book a formal session with a school counselor.
When Abby Thompson feels exhausted by insomnia or school-induced stress, she turns to the Wellness Center for a much-needed respite. “This is by far my favorite spot in the school,” she proclaimed. “It is a haven of peace and comfort. If it weren’t for this place, I would seek solace in the restroom or not even be able to come to school.”
Senior Tyler Rock relishes his Thursday lunch breaks and looks forward to them every week. Although he believes that senior year is less academically strenuous than a junior year, he still finds a way to savor the moments which are full of “the greatest talks” with McDonald. “My mind can rest here,” he expressed with a satisfied smile. “It’s the perfect place to be at peace.”
As Noah Slade adjusts to life in high school as a freshman, she finds the room an ideal location for studying and completing her homework assignments before final exams. “School can be incredibly stressful at times,” she expressed, admiring the tranquil atmosphere around her. “It’s such a relief to escape all of that for a while and just relax.”
Tammy Lawrence, Boulder Valley’s Student Support Services director, stated that the room serves a much-needed purpose for all students, whether it be providing an opportunity to take a break from stress or offering more intensive mental health assistance. “Our campus is safe and secure, thanks to our mental health professionals who provide a supportive atmosphere for all students,” she declared. “This offers peace of mind that everyone feels included in their own way.”
According to McDonald, the concept of a Wellness Center was initially proposed by Neil Anderson, the previous principal, and Linda Hubbard, the current assistant principal, around five years ago. He stated, “They realized there was a pressing requirement for students to have a resource available to them. Fortunately, the Marshall Fire grants provided them with sufficient funds to make this idea a reality”.
In the initial term, numerous students visited the Wellness Center 3,200 times. On a typical day, 40-50 students benefited from its services, with 34% of all scholars utilizing it. McDonald aspires to get that number up to 50%, if not higher! He said, “I’m offering my full support to every student. If one of them would like time for introspection or a moment to collect their thoughts, They can also do that.” During our sessions, we don’t follow any strict plan – if they want to talk, I’m here and listening. If something is causing them extreme angst or worry at the moment, we can work on building their trustworthiness through various therapeutic techniques. It’s almost like counseling at lightspeed!
According to him, the program was particularly beneficial for those with anxiety issues as attendance rates have improved, and their grades are on the rise. He underscored the significance of having a mental health professional at the helm; otherwise, it would just be yet another study hall. Monarch’s staffing structure does not include heavy student caseloads or intensified paperwork duties compared to a traditional counselor. “I feel immensely privileged to be doing this job,” he proclaimed. “Becoming a counselor was my way of creating meaningful relationships with young people and helping them thrive. It has completely revolutionized the lives of our students.”
