Teaching HeartMath to Reduce Anxiety in Schools
SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital introduced students in six area school districts to a science-based, mind-body approach called HeartMath that uses breathing techniques and technology to help improve emotional self-regulation and wellness.
The goal of HeartMath is to align the physical, mental, and emotional systems, and to help people shift from a fight-or-flight response to stress to a more positive state of appreciation and peace.
Introducing students to HeartMath is the newest addition to a partnership to increase access to mental health resources that SSM Health St. Agnes began five years ago with the school districts of Campbellsport, Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Ripon and Waupun which also includes 25 license school-based satellite locations.
As part of this ongoing initiative, SSM Health’s Behavioral Health teams work collaboratively with the districts to grow school-based therapy services and programs. Since the inception of the partnerships, SSM Health has served 630 students, providing over 15,500 therapy sessions to students and their families. In the 2023-2024 school year alone, more than 4,700 therapy sessions were provided to students.
“The impact of the partnerships has been profound,” according to Sarah Arnold, PsyD, SSM Health Psychology Services manager. “It is amazing to see how many students and families have benefited in our communities.”
The goal of HeartMath is to align the physical, mental, and emotional systems, and to help people shift from a fight-or-flight response to stress to a more positive state of appreciation and peace.
Introducing students to HeartMath is the newest addition to a partnership to increase access to mental health resources that SSM Health St. Agnes began five years ago with the school districts of Campbellsport, Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Ripon and Waupun which also includes 25 license school-based satellite locations.
As part of this ongoing initiative, SSM Health’s Behavioral Health teams work collaboratively with the districts to grow school-based therapy services and programs. Since the inception of the partnerships, SSM Health has served 630 students, providing over 15,500 therapy sessions to students and their families. In the 2023-2024 school year alone, more than 4,700 therapy sessions were provided to students.
“The impact of the partnerships has been profound,” according to Sarah Arnold, PsyD, SSM Health Psychology Services manager. “It is amazing to see how many students and families have benefited in our communities.”
With the success of the HeartMath pilot and reduction in student anxiety and stress, SSM Health and the partner districts plan to expand the program to additional schools in the coming year.
