As stated by a popular television show, talking about what our generation is known for, “our one defining trait is a numbness to the world, an indifference to suffering”(American Horror Story). Because of the number of people that are in pain, mental health should be an excusable reason to take days off school. Universities and High schools should give students mental health days to deal with their issues.
Depression: “a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act” ( Ranna Parekh, M.D., M.P.H. January 2017). Students who suffer from depression or other mental health issues such as anxiety or panic attacks need breaks from spending hours every day studying and stressing about assignments. This could allow the youth to seek the help they need such as therapy or simply resting their mind at home.
Two parents speak out about the law that says students can take mental health days in Oregon, “Parents Roxanne and Jason Wilson agree. They say the law might have helped save their 14-year-old daughter, Chloe, who took her life in February 2018.” (newsela)
Approximately 17% of teenagers commit suicide and 20% of all teens suffer from depression, according to childtrends.org. Giving students a break from school might lower those percentages. Mental health days are needed more than ever now since suicide rates are only increasing, making it the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Some students experience fear of missing school due to the fact that they would have to make up for a lot of work which would only negatively impact a teen’s anxiety. If students were able to be excused from most assignments that wouldn’t have a large impact on their grades, then they would be more likely to allow themselves breaks. The due dates of tests and projects could possibly be pushed back as well. We need to give teens the assurance that it is okay to deal with their mental health or their overwhelmed minds. One way schools could make this possible is by giving students 1-2 days a month to use if they are experiencing depressive episodes or extreme burnout. “Stress and burnout affect both our mental and emotional well-being and both fall under self-care” (Erin Pawlak).
Having time off school for a few days during the semester could prevent future burnout and gives students the opportunity to receive the help they need instead of letting it build up, potentially saving them from possible harmful thoughts.
There will always be the question “Will students just abuse the privilege of mental health days?” It is a possibility, of course. But should school districts risk losing students to suicide just because a few teenagers may take the opportunity to lie about their well-being?
“One of my fears initially... would be the students that would take advantage of this, potentially manipulating it for the reasons that are not what they are initially intended for,” Watts said in an article on mental health days written by Veronica You on countable.us.
As spoken about in an article on newsela, “ We need to say it’s just as OK to take care for mental health reasons as it is to care for a broken bone.” (associated press. Published on August 5th, 2019)
Schools, parents, and everyone else needs to accept the fact that mental illnesses are illnesses and we as a society have to figure out ways to help those in need. Parents should, however, should know when to allow their child to take a mental health day and when they shouldn’t. Amy Morin, a licensed psychotherapist, argued, “when they’re feeling so bad that they’re struggling to function, and going to school is likely to make it worse, a mental health day might be just what the doctor ordered”(psycholgytoday.com).
For example, a mental health day is great for those dealing with breakdowns, emotional burnout, depression, or severe panic attacks. A mental health day is not great for those who are nervous about a school presentation or when they remember they didn’t do a homework assignment.
To conclude, mental health days should be given to students. Whether it be only a couple of days a semester or a couple of days a year, teens need breaks to deal with their mental illnesses or stress. Letting teenagers have this time to heal and destress could potentially improve their worth ethic, mindset, and well-being. Some states already have a law that gives mental health days such as Florida and Oregon, and hopefully, more will join them.