When we have a cold, the flu, or a virus, schools excuse us to rest and recover. Why is it that when students feel depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, they are pressured to go to school? When considering whether students should be allowed excused mental health days, it becomes a question of severity. In other words, is mental illness as consequential as physical illness?
The Youth Mental Health Tracker reports that 45% of individuals between the ages of 10–24 have experienced some form of mental health concerns in the past two years. Depression and anxiety—though often belittled—are mental disorders listed in the DSM-5 (the official manual of mental health disorders in America). At their worst, mental health problems such as these are debilitating; individuals report difficulty in conducting even the simplest tasks. Understandably, then, the cognitive and social load of school seems insurmountable to someone struggling with their mental health.
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Additionally, mental health issues can manifest themselves in physical ailments, such as headaches, stomach pain, or insomnia. So while students may not have a fever or virus, they may still be suffering physically.
Regardless, mental health struggles are just as, if not more, straining than physical illness. So then, shouldn't students be allowed to stay home and recover from mental health problems as they do for physical illness?
This is exactly the question student Hailey Hardcastle and the Students for a Healthy Oregon asked as they proposed House Bill 2191. The bill allowed schools in Oregon to excuse mental health absences the same way they excuse sick days. The bill became law in June 2019 and has had a significant impact on the school community in Oregon. Several other states have followed suit, and 12 states currently include mental health days in their legislation.
As Hardcastle explains in her TED talk "Why students should have mental health days," "Oftentimes, that day off is the difference between feeling a whole lot better and a whole lot worse."
The rest and relief a day off provides, not to mention the time it allows students to organize their tasks and get their bearings, gives teens support in overwhelming moments.
In my opinion, the most important aspect of this legislation is how it destigmatizes public perception of mental health. Decades ago, the idea of taking a break when mentally drained was frowned upon. However, students, parents, and lawmakers are now recognizing the importance of mental health.
There is, however, one consideration policymakers should bear in mind when enacting this legislation. Unlike sickness, mental health problems are ongoing. Therefore, there must be provisions for a student to be checked on after using a mental health day. Such a pre-emptive measure ensures that students receive the proper care and attention that they need.
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Mental health problems are widespread and still stigmatized. When we make space for teens and allow them the recovery time they need, we help the individual and establish an institutional precedent for future generations. We can all take inspiration from Hailey Hardcastle. We can advocate for our needs and, in doing so, benefit our peers and our community.
