Mental health days should be counted as an excused absence for students. Mental health days will reduce stress and anxiety, decrease burnout and promote health habits.
Everyone needs a break sometimes and with the heavy workload students have, it is really beneficial to get a break for a day or two.
A lot of teenagers struggle with talking about their mental health because they are embarrassed or afraid of judgment from their peers. Mental health days will bring up the topic to parents and trusted adults, that way students feel seen and the topic of mental health is normalized.
Some states have passed a law explicitly excusing school absences for mental health reasons, but there are still 38 states that aren’t counting mental health days.
In 2019 and 2020 teenage suicide rates declined. Everyone was on lock down due to covid and didn’t have to face school bullies. In 2022 rates rose to a record high.
Mental health should be appreciated just as much as physical health. If a student has a fever they won’t be able to pay attention and learn. Same goes for if a student is dealing with anxiety.
A big test or a class presentation can lead to a lot of stress and nerves for students, and a day off right after can help students reset and get back in the right mindset to learn.
Overall mental health days she be an accused absence. Students will benefit from these days and will get a chance to relax and take a day to reset from all the stress. These days will help students feel more aware of their head space and help them feel more comfortable talking to an adult.
Everyone needs a break every once in a while and students shouldn’t have to lie about why they are missing school for the day.