In 1962, a school in Welsh, Louisiana, experienced an outbreak of seizures and other symptoms among 21 girls and one boy in grades six to eleven, which lasted for six months. The outbreak was triggered by rumors of mandatory pregnancy tests and close scrutiny of students' sexual activity by school officials. The incident, which was attributed to mass hysteria, reflected the social and psychological pressures faced by adolescents in a conservative environment.

The Welsh school hysteria has been cited in psychological and sociological studies as an example of mass psychogenic illness in a school setting. The event has inspired writers to explore the dynamics of fear and the power of suggestion among young people, and it has been referenced in works that examine the psychology of groups and the role of stress in triggering collective behavior. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing the social and emotional needs of students.