The Lion's Pride , Vol. 5 (Feb. 2016) | Page 66

get funding for the new program. I will set up over-the-phone interviews with principles from each school, in hopes of setting up an assembly for teachers and parents to get informed on the new program. My plan will be very cost efficient. The majority of the funding will be provided by Cascadia Now. If the plan begins on time, meditation could be in over half of Washington Schools by 2020. As a meditator and yogi for over 10 years, I believe I have the right to say meditation CAN change lives for the better. I have also dedicated many years to research on how meditation can decrease stress, depression and anxiety in youth. THE PROBLEM Teens and stress Teens are feeling high levels of stress that are negatively affecting their everyday lives. In fact, according to a 2014 survey for the American Psychological Association, U.S teenagers report feeling more stressed out than adults do (Bethune, 2014.) Stressors can range from school to friends, work and family. Unfortunately, rarely ever do teens use healthy methods to cope with their stress. As the following