The newest addition to FHS, the Nest, serves as a safe space where students can clear their heads and take a break from the rush of everyday life. The Nest — located in classroom A-101 — is run by Alejandra Flores, FHS cross country and track and field coach and 2014 FHS graduate.
“The purpose of the Nest is a wellness space that combines mental health and your physical well-being, as well as implementing calming and coping mechanisms that you can use outside of this space,” Flores said. “Every teacher has a class pass for the Nest and if you’re having a day where you’re stressed, you’re anxious, or dealing with academic stress, you’ll come down here, you’ll do something mental health-related, and then after 15 minutes, I’ll send you back to class.”
The Nest is filled with calming activities including coloring sheets, fidget toys and comfortable chairs. FHS junior Jaqueline Lopez Cruz often goes to the Nest to relieve anxiety and stay calm.
“It’s important to take care of our mental health because we are still developing, our brains are still growing, and if we have something going on in our lives, we shouldn’t just keep it in,” Lopez Cruz said. “We should be able to talk about it to other people, someone trustworthy, like the teacher that runs this area.”
As teenagers, life can be difficult to navigate. Balancing one’s emotions on top of countless other responsibilities can be especially difficult in the transitional period of high school. Adolescents are more swayed by emotions in their decision-making than adults are, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Population Affairs. Considering this, mental health is incredibly important to prioritize during this time.
“Mental health is important because, without good mental health, we can’t function as humans,” FHS sophomore Eric Diaz said.
As one of three schools in the FUHSD with a Wellness Center, FHS joined CHS and MVHS with the new addition. The space is also available for students to take shelter during stressful times. In contrast, when Flores was in high school, she would use her teachers’ classrooms when in need of comfort.
“I had multiple different nests in different classrooms when I needed a mental health break or to get help navigating my academic stress, but also any personal stuff that came up that affected my schooling,” Flores said. “It’s a beautiful thing that we have this here and I feel so honored and so privileged to be here in this capacity 10 years later, after graduating.”
Everyone can benefit from caring for their mental health, whether through the support of the Nest or individually. Incorporating mindfulness into each day can teach students how to regulate themselves during frustrating situations and how to let others know their needs. Minds are powerful tools that can be honored with a simple trip to the Nest in a time of need.
