In this generation, students are faced with a lot: AP courses, high academic standards, social media toxicity, and other stressors. Consumed by factors both in, and outside of the school environment, it has made it difficult to stay mentally healthy—increasing the need to prioritize student well-being. 

In response to the mental health crises in teens and the campaigns that are raising awareness, some communities have proposed the idea of allowing excused absences for “mental health days.” In the last few years, states including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, and Virginia have passed bills permitting students to miss school for mental health reasons. 

The exhaustion caused by school has become overwhelming for adolescents who feel that their busy schedules have led to the inability to balance their lives with academics, and doing the things that they enjoy. Unprecedented changes from the pandemic such as adjusting back to in-person learning, and COVID-19 scares have also added onto the many emotional struggles that teens deal with. A stressed out and overworked individual is not in the right mindset for learning, and it can make understanding new concepts in school strenuous. 

Recently, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California State Senator Anthony Portantino’s Senate Bills 14 and 224, which promote training and education in this topic. Luckily, this is also one step closer to having excused absences for behavioral health in the future.

“If you break your ankle or have the flu, your parent sends a note. But if you’re home with depression or anxiety, it’s not treated the same way. The district doesn’t have to recognize it,” said Portantino to Education Week on how this is a flaw in the education code.

Why can’t one be supported to care for their mental health as one would for their physical health? Having to go through a six period school day and after-school activities while bottling up trauma or suffering from a panic attack does not alleviate the situation. 

Considering this, districts need to address students and their mental states before it gets to a breaking point. Unfortunately, this is not the case for schools who put all of their resources into academic performance, consequently failing to give the proper support for self-care. Because of the harsh expectations and comparisons put onto students at a young age, it has made many, including myself, begin to believe that prioritizing my grades is more important than my health. 

“We’ve spent decades raising our standards of learning, now is the time to raise our standards of care,” said Matt Shenker, a former elementary school counselor who is now a resident in counseling at Thriveworks to Very Well Mind.

By instilling mental health days, it provides an opportunity for students to improve their education while leading a happier, healthier life. It is also one step closer to normalizing mental illnesses and recognizing that it is okay to take a day off in order to put one’s well-being first. As a way to encourage finding mental health solutions, it lets students know that they are heard and that their feelings are valid.

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