Located in the same hallway as a currently defunct vending machine, is one of Irvington’s most crucial resources for student mental health. In an environment where academics is a major priority, the Wellness Center has become a place where students that feel overwhelmed by their social or academic life can go to decompress. A buffer between the bustle of the hallways and a space entirely dedicated to relaxation.
According to Mr. Lopez, the Wellness Center’s manager, students are able to ask their teachers for a 15-20 minute excused break in the Center. The time spent inside is meant to be flexible for the students, allowing them to do what best fits their emotional state. Some students sit and even take naps in some of the Center’s many couches or padded chairs. Other students draw, paint, play with kinetic sand, and even work out with the equipment there. By so many options for the students, the center allows students who process stress differently specific outlets for them.
Mr. Lopez emphasizes that all of these activities allow students to back out of whatever may be happening around them, and gives them perspective and time to slow down. Mr. Lopez himself also states that he is always willing to support students by listening to them and offering feedback and help reflecting on their experiences to help them make the best decisions. He wants to make sure that students that come in to talk are truly heard.
Beyond immediate relief, the Wellness Center also offers more comprehensive care for students, as students are constantly connected to school counselors and other professional resources when a situation may not be immediately solvable. Though the center is only able to offer short-term help, it offers a direct path to a more structured and long term support system for students.
For the students that may feel hesitant or too overwhelmed to seek direct help, Mr. Lopez offers the reminder that the first step is to always find the “light at the end of the tunnel” and to find other people who can listen and offer direction. Likewise, the Wellness Center also heavily favors a collaborative approach to ensure student wellbeing.
Ultimately, emotional well being is the foundation to academic success, and the Irvington Wellness Center ensures that every student has a place to face their challenges with support. In doing so, the student population has a place where they can prioritize their personal health over whatever may be bothering them.
