The Wellness Initiative (TWI) was founded in 2006 to provide yoga to students in Colorado and address the growing concern that students of all ages suffer from increasingly stressful and unhealthy lives. Because many of the students in our programs lack the opportunities and tools to relax, reflect, strengthen, and focus, their self confidence, physical health, and academic performance suffer. During the 2012-2013 school year, we are combating these issues by serving at least 2,500 students in 34 schools in 6 counties.
Did You Know:
Experts estimate that anywhere between 10 and 15% of all children and adolescents have symptoms of a mental health disorder severe enough to cause some level of impairment. These conditions can include depression, substance abuse, stress, anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders.
The combined prevalence of anxiety disorders is higher than that of all other childhood and adolescence mental disorders. The one-year prevalence in children ages 9 through 17 is 13%.
Use of psychotropic medication for children and youth has increased sharply, with more than $1 billion spent in 1998 for these medications. Stimulants and antidepressants account for about two-thirds of the bill.
In the United States today, more than 9 million children are overweight. The majority of these kids — as many as 80% — will become obese adults, and will be at higher risk for some of today’s deadliest diseases: heart disease, stroke and diabetes.