The Sumner County Health Committee has strived to improve the health of residents in various ways over the years. Two years ago, we conducted a community health assessment in which we asked the community to rank health concerns in Summer County. One of the major health concerns that was identified was increasing awareness and access to mental health resources. We formed a Mental Health Sub-Committee to address this concern and our largest project was to provide each classroom in Sumner County with a calming kit. We are proud to announce that as of August 2024, every elementary school classroom in Sumner County has a calming kit!  

These kits contain items which students can use to help regulate their emotions without having to leave the classroom. It gives them a safe space and a few moments to themselves to evaluate and acknowledge how they are feeling and how they can begin to feel better. The overall purpose is to give students a time and place to sooth overwhelming emotions and then return to learning and classroom activities. Over the course of a year, school staff have reported a significant decrease in student outbursts, anxiety, and classroom disruption since implementing the practice.

“Calming kits are an essential resource in the classroom that help students regulate their emotions and develop and practice healthy coping skills.  When used  with fidelity, calm kits can maximize instructional time for students and staff as well as reduce major  behavioral disruptions that are often a result of emotional dysregulation “ states Charlsea Brantley & Emily Anderson, Benny Bills Elementary

If you have any questions about the project, please don’t hesitate to contact us!