US Schools Use Meditation to Boost Mental Health
Even though it's not long before summer vacation, the third-grade students at Roberta T. Smith Elementary School in Rex, Georgia, don't struggle to focus.
They close their eyes as a pre-recorded voice leads them through their classroom's regular meditation routine.
"Listen to the chimes," says the teacher, Kim Franklin. "Remember to breathe."
Schools across the US have been introducing yoga, meditation and mindfulness exercises to help students manage stress and emotions. As student struggles with mental health became clear after the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last year supported schools' use of the practices to help students manage emotions.
The CDC in 2023 reported more than a third of students were affected by long-term feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
Research has found school-based mindfulness programs can help, especially in low-income communities where students face high levels of stress — and where access to professional help is limited.
The mindfulness program at Roberta T. Smith Elementary School is provided by Inner Explorer, an audio platform.
The Inner Explorer program guides students and teachers through five-to-10-minute sessions of breathing, meditating and reflecting several times a day. The program also is used at Atlanta Public Schools and over 100 other districts across the country.
Teachers and administrators say they have noticed a difference in their students since they've incorporated mindfulness into their routine.
For Aniyah Woods, 9, the program has helped her "calm down" and "not stress anymore."
"I love myself how I am, but Inner Explorer just helps me feel more like myself," Aniyah said.
Malachi Smith, 9, has used his exercises at home, with his father helping to guide him through meditation.
"When I calm myself down, I realize I am an excellent scholar," Malachi said.
After the class finishes their meditation, they share how they were feeling.
"Relaxed," one student says.
Aniyah raises her hand.
"It made me feel peaceful," she says.
