Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield (ABCBS) celebrated its 75th anniversary on December 3, 2023. The company, which was founded in 1948, is the largest and oldest health insurer in Arkansas. To mark the occasion, ABCBS launched the Take Good Care Calming Room initiative, which awarded $2,500 to 75 middle, junior, and high schools across the state to create calming rooms. The initiative was a way for ABCBS to support students’ mental health and improve access to behavioral health resources.
Lafayette County High School was one of the lucky picks to receive the grant.
Pictured left to right:
Kristy Follett Community Public Relations Coordinator from Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Corporate Marketing, LCHS Nurse La’Kisha Lowe, and LCHS Principal Tony Hartsfield
“I am so delighted to have this room available for our students to utilize, mental wellness is of the upmost importance and I’m so glad we now have a safe space for students to unwind and release stress.”
School Nurse, La’Kisha Lowe
According to state data, more than 14%, or 83,135 Arkansas children and teens, are dealing with anxiety and depression. Calming rooms are designed to give students who are feeling stressed or anxious a quiet place to reflect and refocus so they can perform their best when they return to the classroom.
The LCHS Calming room features items such as:
· A paint station
· A fidget station (Sensory Objects)
· A coloring station
· Comfortable furniture including massage chairs and bean bags
· A fountain for the tranquil sound of water
· Serene lighting and white noise
· Journaling
Construction of the calming room was completed at the beginning of April 2024 and will be open for all student in need the following school year. Also current students are submitting suggestions for naming the room. The calming room will be supervised at all times by administration staff, nurse, and counselor, so that safety continues to remain a priority.
