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Bees Help Teen Overcome Anxiety, Return to School
14 May
Summary
- Beekeeping provided a way for a teen to manage anxiety and depression.
- The hobby allowed a young person to return to mainstream education after four years.
- School clubs are now introducing beekeeping to other students for similar benefits.
Beekeeping has emerged as a therapeutic activity for young people struggling with mental health challenges, enabling them to reconnect with education and their environment. Jenson, a 17-year-old, found solace and focus in beekeeping after experiencing anxiety and depression, which led to him being home-schooled for four years. His parents described his return to education as a significant relief, emphasizing the importance of allowing him to find his own way.
His engagement with the Shropshire Beekeepers' Association ignited a passion for beekeeping, which he now pursues with his own hives. Jenson shared that tending to his bees helps him clear his mind and gain perspective on daily life, fostering personal growth. This positive impact is being mirrored in schools, such as Newport Girls' High School Academy in Shropshire, which runs an after-school beekeeping club.
Students like Evelyn, 16, and Elizabeth, 13, have benefited from the school's initiative. Evelyn credits the club with introducing her to beekeeping, finding it a calming activity essential for connecting with nature. Elizabeth, whose family also keeps bees, enjoys learning about hive structures and bee behavior. Both acknowledge the rarity of finding peers interested in beekeeping, highlighting the club's value in fostering this unique hobby among young people.
