BHS building wellness center to help with teen mental health

BCEF is donating funds from annual campaign

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – Batesville High School will address teen mental health by creating a wellness center. 

It comes as teen mental health concerns, such as anxiety and stress, are on the rise both locally and nationwide. 

“We were shocked to find out from local survey data that, over the past few years, about one-third of all BHS students reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two straight weeks,” shared Batesville Community Education Foundation executive director Anne Wilson. “That’s at least 200 of our Batesville Bulldogs every year, so it’s not a small problem.” 

Right now, the school's current counselors' area are in the main office which makes it difficult for staff to provide discreet assistance to students who may be having a difficult time. 

The plan is to relocate those offices into two existing classrooms that will be converted into a wellness center.

“These rooms would be completely reconfigured and remodeled to not only house the counselors’ office but also provide space for a stress management and resilience training lab (including a heart rate biofeedback program), a resource library for students, dedicated calming tools such as weighted blankets and stress balls, a meeting space, and a small private outdoor patio for fresh air if enough funds are raised,” Wilson added. 

Architectural firm Fanning Howey donated a conceptual plan to help school officials visualize the space. Here are those designs:

Construction of the wellness center is expected to begin soon.

BCEF is using their annual campaign proceeds to help the school make the project possible. 

Donations are requested by September 30 so the foundation can help BHS with its furnishings plans.

Detailed plans for the project are available by clicking here.