More US Schools Are Taking Breaks for Meditation

01A class of third-grade students in the American state of Georgia had just a few days left until summer vacation would begin, and lunchtime was only an hour away.

02But the children, who attend Roberta T.

03Smith Elementary School in the city of Rex, were in no hurry to leave.

04They were ready for one of their favorite parts of the day.

05The children closed their eyes and moved their thumbs from their foreheads down to their hearts.

06Listen to the chimes, said the teacher, Kim Franklin.

07Remember to breathe.

08Across the country, schools like Smith Elementary have been introducing mental health sessions that include yoga, meditation, and mindfulness exercises.

09Students do these exercises in addition to traditional math, reading, and science classes.

10More American students have faced mental health struggles following the COVID-19 pandemic.

11In 2023, the U.S.

12Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, reported that more than one-third of students were affected by feelings of long-term sadness and hopelessness.

13The agency suggested schools use mindfulness practices to help students deal with their stress and emotions.

14We know that our teenagers and adolescents have really strained in their mental health, CDC Director Dr.

15Mandy Cohen told the Associated Press.

16There are real skills that we can give our teens to make sure that they are coping with some big emotions.

17Research has found that school-based mindfulness programs can help, especially in poor communities where students face higher levels of stress.

18That is the program used at Smith Elementary, where more than two-thirds of students are Black.

19Cooper said it was important to the group to support communities of color in the area.

20When you look at the numbers, unfortunately in Georgia, the number of children of color with suicidal thoughts and success is quite high, Cooper said.

21When you look at the number of psychologists available for these children, there are not enough psychologists of color.

22Information from the CDC shows that Black youth have the fastest-growing suicide rate among racial groups.

23Between 2007 and 2020, the suicide rate among Black children and teens between the ages of 10 to 17 increased by 144%.

24Nationwide, children in schools that serve mostly students of color have less access to mental health professionals than children in schools that serve mostly white students.

25The Inner Explorer program guides students and teachers through 5- to 10-minute sessions of breathing, meditation, and reflection several times a day.

26The program is used at over 100 school systems across the U.S.

27Teachers and administrators say they have noticed a difference in their students since they've added mindfulness into their daily activities.

28Nine-year-old Anaya Woods is a student in Kim Franklin's class at Smith Elementary.

29Anaya said the program has helped her calm down and not stress anymore.

30She added, It made me feel peaceful.

31Malachi Smith, also nine, has used his exercises at home.

32His father helps guide him through meditation.

33You can relax, and when I calm myself down, I realize I am an excellent scholar, Malachi said.

34I'm Ana Mateo.

35I'm a fan of the way to do that.

36I'm a fan of the way to do that.

37I'm a fan of the way to do that.