Strong Young Minds Start with Safe Spaces

As a Guidance and Counseling teacher at EBPP, I believe that every child has the right to be heard—especially when they are experiencing strong emotions like sadness, anger, or fear. These emotions should not be bottled up. If they aren’t expressed in a healthy way, they can interfere with a student’s learning process and social relationships, both at school and at home.

I try to create a safe space for students to express how they feel. I invite them to speak from the heart, listen to their stories without judgment, and offer support with empathy. Not every student feels comfortable talking, so I also encourage them to draw or write as an alternative way to express their emotions. When they feel accepted and understood, they gradually open up, feel more at ease, and begin to better understand themselves.

For me, this is not just a professional responsibility—it's a calling. By supporting students emotionally, I feel like I’m helping build their mental resilience. And through this process, I continue to learn how to be a better listener, more sensitive, and more compassionate.

I truly believe that school should not only be a place for academic learning, but also a space that nurtures emotional well-being. When children feel emotionally safe and supported, they grow into confident, strong individuals who are ready to face the world.

By: Ni Kadek Reni, EBPP Guidance and Counselling Teacher