Meiduo School promotes “meditation” to help students destress

According to a report from the Associated Press on the 4th, an increasing number of American schools are introducing stress relief courses, which help students manage emotions and alleviate stress through yoga, meditation, and so-called “mindfulness training.” In a primary school in Atlanta, third-grade students close their eyes during meditation class and follow the guidance of a broadcast voice, sliding their thumbs from their foreheads to their chests, entering a state of “mindful meditation.” A 9-year-old girl said she fell in love with herself after participating in “mindful meditation” training. Another 9-year-old boy mentioned that he not only participates in “mindful meditation” at school but also is guided by his father at home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States pointed out last year that over one-third of students in America have long been affected by feelings of sadness and disappointment, recommending schools to guide students in “mindfulness training.” Data indicates that from 2007 to 2020, suicide rates among 10- to 17-year-old Black teenagers in the US increased by 144%, the highest among all ethnic groups. It was also highlighted that in schools with a high percentage of students of color in the US, students have fewer opportunities to receive psychological counseling than in schools where white students are the majority. A primary school vice principal emphasized the importance of the school community’s diversity and inclusiveness, as well as the necessity of providing mental health support to students. However, some conservative individuals have questioned the content of the mental stress relief courses introduced by schools. They believe that the so-called “mindfulness training” mixes in issues related to race and gender identity, which may lead student psychological counseling programs astray.