CHICO, Calif. — The Glenn County Office of Education is launching a countywide wellness initiative across elementary, middle, and high school campuses to support rising student mental health needs. Nearly 40% of students nationwide struggle with mental health challenges, and those numbers are climbing, showing up earlier and more often in classrooms.
Across California, school districts are seeing a rise in student anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges. In Glenn County, the response has been a community-wide effort to meet students where they are.
Mental health support is now moving directly onto school campuses through dedicated wellness coaches and newly designed wellness spaces. The spaces give students a place to reset and access help early.
“We know from research that a child can’t learn unless they’re taken care of. They’re not in the right mind space, their basic needs aren’t being met,” said Ryan Bentz, Glenn County Office of Education superintendent. “Ultimately, we are here to educate the whole child so that they can achieve academic success.”
The county office of education has built nearly 60 wellness spaces across their school campuses. Teachers are also being trained in areas like neuroscience and emotional regulation.
The program is grant-funded, meaning it comes at no cost to general education budgets. It’s focused on prevention, helping students reset, build coping skill,s and get back into the classroom ready to learn.
Wellness coaches are a key part of this effort, on campus every day, building relationships and helping kids navigate everything from stress and friendship issues to trauma, homelessness, and major life changes. Glenn County educators report calmer classrooms, more predictable routines, and students who are increasingly able to self-regulate and solve problems independently.