Rdale Introduces Wellness Rooms to Support Middle School Students' Mental Health

In an exciting development for Robbinsdale Area Schools (Rdale), new Wellness Rooms have been introduced in the district’s four middle schools—FAIR Crystal, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, and Sandburg. These spaces, created in partnership with the Seven Dreams Education Foundation, are designed to provide a supportive environment where students can develop essential emotional skills and take mental breaks to enhance their academic readiness.

A Safe Space to Decompress

The Middle School Wellness Rooms aim to empower students to manage their own emotions and stress. By engaging in calming activities, such as arts, crafts, and STEAM-based exercises, students can focus on mindfulness and emotional regulation. “The purpose of the Wellness Room is to help students acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to develop emotional management, empathy, and responsible decision-making,” said Kerwin Bell, Rdale’s Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness Coordinator.

These private spaces give students an opportunity to take a few minutes to unwind, reflect, and use coping strategies they’ve learned, allowing them to return to class more focused and resilient. With a strong focus on reducing sensory input and calming the central nervous system, the Wellness Rooms are becoming essential tools in helping students address the challenges of middle school and improve their readiness to learn.

Data-Driven Impact

The Wellness Rooms don’t just serve an immediate need; they’re also backed by data to measure and enhance their effectiveness. Each visit is recorded, capturing metrics on frequency, students’ initial mindsets, and their progress in emotional regulation skills. This data enables counselors and student support teams to identify patterns and determine where additional support may be needed.

“High Demand” from Students

The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many eagerly using the space to calm and self-regulate before returning to their studies. The high demand for the Wellness Rooms demonstrates their effectiveness and the need for more mental health resources in schools. Staff members note that if students require additional support, they can transition seamlessly from the Wellness Room to the broader student support team for deeper care.

Looking Ahead

While the Wellness Rooms are already making a positive impact, Rdale has bigger goals. By analyzing data from students' Wellness Room visits, the district can pinpoint stress points in the school environment and implement targeted support.

Through the support of the Seven Dreams Education Foundation, Rdale is also exploring ways to bring in community partners for art therapy, meditation, and mindfulness programs that can further enrich students' wellness experiences.