Grantee Spotlight: Improving Mental Wellness and Coping Skills Through Yoga and Sound Bowl Sessions

We were honored to sit down with Jessica Layssard, LMSW, to learn about her recent initiative to expand access to mental health resources at Manor Early College High School. Jessica began her career in social work with Goodwill as a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act case manager, supporting students in Manor and Austin ISD as they worked toward graduation and pursued post-secondary education or employment opportunities. In 2015, she joined Manor ISD as a social worker and has since served students across elementary, middle, and high school campuses.

In the 2024-2025 school year, Jessica was awarded two grants totaling $1,500 to bring yoga and sound bowl sessions to students. In addition to bringing immediate, short-term benefits, these sessions introduce students to wellness practices that they can carry forward in their daily lives.

Can you share more about your project?

My project was to increase awareness around mental health and provide resources at Manor Early College High School. The project was to support staff and students in providing opportunities to learn about resources for their mental health by being able to pay for yoga and sound bowl meditation sessions as well has have a weeklong mental health fair.

Can you share a specific success story from your project?

The students that participated in both sessions provided feedback that they were able to experience a sense of calmness and relaxation. Some students stated they were able to rest like they haven't in a a long time... One student stated: "It helped me release any feelings I was having before and release them and fully be present. It helped me end my day on a positive note".

In addition to the sessions, having our weeklong mental health week was amazing. We heard students talk about 988 and that the crisis hotline is always available if they need support.

What do the Manor Schoolhouse Foundation grants mean to you?

To me it means bringing mental health supports to students who otherwise would never have these opportunities. This work is so important to help give our students the tools to not only graduate high school but to be able to feel good about themselves and know that they have skills to help navigate their emotions. We ensure students know that it is OK to ask for help. The Manor Schoolhouse Foundation innovation grants are so important because they help elevate the education experience students would not otherwise receive.