Amador’s Wellness Center recently hosted a Henna Workshop last Thursday during Access, as part of Mental Health Awareness Month. The workshop was led by Ms. Kubra, the wellness coach on campus. Its purpose was to provide students with a creative and relaxing activity to support their mental health.
“I feel like when I use my hands to do things, I feel calmer and it takes my mind off of other things…I think these activities benefit students because it gets rid of the stress that a person could be feeling,” said Pragya Vashisht (‘29).
Mental Health and Stress Relief
At the workshop, students had the option to work independently or get guidance and help from others. According to the American Psychological Association, teenagers commonly report school as a significant source of stress, especially during exam periods and heavy workloads. The henna workshop is part of a larger effort by administration to help students relieve stress during exam season.
“I’ve…been doing henna since I was younger…It’s part of my childhood because I…learned how to do it from my mom. It’s pretty relaxing…you don’t have to focus on anything else,” said Laasya Vemula (‘27).
Cultural Significance
In addition to supporting student wellness, the workshop also highlighted the cultural importance of henna. People have practiced henna for centuries in many cultures. Most often, it’s used for celebrations and special occasions. By introducing students to henna in a school setting, the workshop enabled participants to learn more about the tradition’s significance.
“I think it’s a really good way to relax for…finals. I also like how it’s a really good break from stressing about having school and prevents having so much academic stress,” said Sherry Hayden (‘28).The workshop provided a unique setting for students to practice henna because they could do it with their friends, and also meet new people along the way. By combining creativity, culture, and stress relief, the henna workshop gave students the opportunity to take their minds off their stress. As Mental Health Awareness Month continues, activities like this workshop can help students find healthy ways to relax and connect with others.
