When I’m Here, I Can Breathe Again — Maya’s Story
The first time Maya walked into the Zen Room, she just sank quietly into a soft beanbag. She didn’t say a word.
For weeks, her teachers noticed the change, as she started pulling away and becoming less active in class. She stopped turning in assignments and started spending lunch alone.
“It wasn’t just about grades,” her teacher said. “We could tell she was hurting.”
HDSB staff knew they needed a space where students could pause, reset, and learn strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
A school grant, focused on Mental Health and Wellbeing, funded by the Halton Learning Foundation and our generous donors, made that space become a reality for Maya’s school.
They called it the Zen Den.
Filled with calm lighting, comfortable seating, mindfulness activities, and tools for relaxation, the room quickly became a safe haven — not just for Maya, but for dozens of students learning how to manage the ups and downs of their emotional health.
“I come here when it feels like too much,” Maya shared. “Sometimes I draw, sometimes I just breathe. It helps me get through the day.”
Teachers say the change has been incredible. Now, students who once felt overwhelmed have strategies to regulate their emotions. They return to class ready to learn. Even better, the impact has spread across the school. Staff have started adding short mindfulness breaks into their lessons. As a result, conversations about mental health are becoming open, normal, and stigma-free.
“We wanted students to know it’s okay not to be okay,” said one educator. “But it’s even more powerful for them to know — help is right here.”
Why Halton Learning Foundation Mental Health Support Grants Matter
Across Halton, HLF School Grants make it possible for schools to create environments that support student wellness — from Zen Rooms and mindfulness corners to sensory rooms at schools, guest speakers, therapy dog visits, and wellness days.
These programs teach effective coping strategies, reduce stress, and help students build confidence and community. They are small changes that make a lasting difference: helping students like Maya not just survive their school days but truly thrive in them.
