OPINION: Wellness Center visits should be flexible, not limited to 15 minutes

PHOTO: Wellness Center is open during the school day for all students who need a break from class or time to calm down

By Sophia Young,
BlueDevilHUB.com Staff––

The Wellness Center (previously known as The Calm Space) is a counseling resource available to all Davis High students to utilize as a safe space to calm down if they are struggling with their mental health.
“It’s a very nice space if you need to relax and take a second to breathe or need to be alone,” junior Verane Shaili Ngassam said.
While the center provides a relaxing environment for students to have a few moments to gather themselves, students are only allowed 15 minutes for most stays.
“If you need a little bit more time than that, we need to talk to the counselor or the nurse to make sure you’re getting the support that you need,” center coordinator Megan West said.
A limited time of 15 minutes is insufficient to some students who may need more time before they feel ready to return to class.
“I think limiting a visit to 15 minutes puts pressure on students to compose themselves quickly and get over their troubles, rather than feeling their emotions fully and processing them,” junior Ila Oakley Bremson said. “I usually need about 20 to 30 minutes to fully calm myself down.”
According to West, this time limit is set to ensure accessibility of the center at all times. “The guidelines are there to make sure the space stays usable for students who really need a comfortable safe space and to limit overcrowding,” West said.
Shaili Ngassam has visited the center during its more impacted hours. “Whenever it is crowded, it sometimes feels overwhelming and isn’t as comfortable,” she said.
The concern for overcrowding and accessibility is valid; however, giving students the ability to fully relax and recover from their mental health struggles should be the main priority.
Overcrowding doesn’t seem to be a frequent issue. “Most times I’ve been there it’s been pretty empty, no more than three to four other people,” Shaili Ngassam said.
Oakley Bremson has only encountered the center filled once. “I think the chance that students are misusing the space is worth it if it helps even a few students cope with their troubles,” she said.
Center employees are aware that 15 minutes is a short amount of time. “If you need a longer than 15 minutes … that’s definitely a conversation I want students to feel comfortable having with me as staff in the center,” West said. “We want to bring in the support of a counselor … I will talk to them on the phone or they will come in to check in with the student.”
The solution to this issue is obvious: extend the limited time of stay. “The best way to improve the wellness center I would say is to give a longer time limit. Obviously students can’t stay there the whole class. But at least 30 minutes would be sufficient,” Oakley Bremson said.
“The Wellness Center is a fantastic idea in theory,” Oakley Bremson said.