John's Safe Place Grand Opening at Berea-Midpark High School

Thanks to Rick and Beth Haney with the JCH Foundation, BMHS now has a space that is an open atmosphere for students with anxiety, mental health or sensory needs, or students just having a bad day to come to decompress, find comfort, or practice mindfulness. The room has low lighting, a comfortable couch, games, puzzles, art materials and an aquarium, and is monitored by the school’s counseling department. Our school counselors have found that even just a 5-10 minute quiet break can help students re-group and be able to get back to their classes. The room also has an encouragement board where kids can write positive messages to each other.

Rick and Beth Haney, whose son John, a 2012 Fairview High School graduate, committed suicide in 2017. Out of that tragedy came the John C. Haney Memorial Foundation, which boasts a mission to bring mental health awareness to area middle schools and high schools. Berea-Midpark High School is currently one of the 13 John's Safe Place rooms in area schools to help students cope with social and emotional issues.