The Orange County Department of Education’s Mental Health and Wellness unit has laid down the blue print for implementing WellSpaces in schools, and for their efforts, has been recognized with the Golden Bell Award by the California School Boards Association.
Each year, CSBA spotlights the most deserving school programs and initiatives across the state that incorporate data-driven approaches to raise the bar when it comes to cultivating student success and well-being.
Led by OCDE, the Orange County WellSpace Initiative is a collaborative effort supported by several agencies — including the Orange County Health Care Agency, CalOptima Managed Care Plan and founding partner Rady Children’s Health of Orange County. Together, the initiative has launched 80 WellSpaces serving nearly 90,000 students throughout the county, with more than 80 additional schools on a waitlist to bring the program to their own campuses.
“This award honors our team’s shared commitment to creating spaces where students feel welcomed, where their emotions and challenges are met without judgment, and where they can build the self-awareness and coping skills to navigate life’s challenges,” said Mayu Iwatani, OCDE’s senior administrator of the Mental Health and Awareness division. “I am deeply proud of every team member and the work they do every day to help students thrive academically and grow as kind, compassionate young people. Their passion, dedication, and willingness to innovate and grow together are at the heart of the team’s success and their ability to expand WellSpace’s impact for students.”
Each WellSpace provides students with a safe, supportive environment to process their emotions, while equipping staff with evidence-based strategies to help guide them. Activities include gratitude practices, mindful breathing, journaling, nature-based art and mindful movement.
Beyond offering a place to unwind, the initiative aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and give students practical tools to support their emotional well-being.
“Every student has moments when they need a little extra support,” said Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean. “Our WellSpaces give students a welcoming place to pause, reset and develop healthy ways to manage stress so they can return to class ready to learn. This Golden Bell Award is a wonderful recognition of the OCDE team and our school partners who are making that possible.”
As concerns about youth mental health continue to grow, creating easily accessible supports remains a key part of the response. The WellSpace model is designed to be both replicable and adaptable, allowing schools to implement the approach in ways that meet the needs of their diverse student populations.
Now in its 47th year, the CSBA Golden Bell Awards seeks to highlight the exemplary work of school districts throughout the state in hopes of sharing information about the most effective educational strategies.
Winners from all 21 categories will be recognized at the Golden Bell Awards Reception and Ceremony, which will take place at a time and place yet to be announced.