In today’s day and age mental health issues and conditions are more common amongst students than they were in previous years. Amongst the complex lives of teens, there is a grueling desire and demand to perform well, which can induce teens to have higher stress levels, corresponding to substandard performance.
Students have busy lives and are preoccupied juggling between academics, athletics, jobs, etc. According to NYU, “nearly half (49%) of all students reported feeling a great deal of stress daily and 31% reported feeling somewhat stressed.” Apart from teens struggling with stress, numerous struggle with mental health and that percentage has only been rising since prior years.
When mental health becomes a predominant factor, is when a break from school may be necessary, and the preeminent choice. Mental health days are starting to become popular amongst schools, with now 12 states in favor.
Permitting these days off of school to students without having to worry about what they will miss and what they need to finish can be tremendously beneficial, and according to sedonasky.org mental health days, “provide an opportunity for self-care, reduce stress and anxiety, promote better mental and emotional health, and enhance academic performance.”
Even though these days off of school should be granted, it is also important to realize when to take them, and how to spend them. These mental health days from school should not be a full week off, and should only be taken a few times throughout the school year as needed. According to the Child Mind Institute during these days, activities should include “taking a walk outside, or spending time in nature, baking, drawing, painting, taking some time to practice mindfulness activities, exercising, listening to music or reading a book.”
In addition, mental health days provide the knowledge and understanding of the importance in taking care of your physiological well being. When mental health is neglected it could lead to, “consequences, from preventable disabilities to unemployment or financial problems, exacerbating substance abuse, increased risk of developing or worsening disease, suffering relationships, and even heightened risks of suicide” according to Colorado State University.
Although there are a multitude of benefits, it is important to understand why these days are needed, and when they are not. According to medexpress “stress and burnout are two big signs that you need a mental health day,” so after a long week of school filled with big projects and stressful tests it would be beneficial to acknowledge it might be the proper time to take a day off.
Whilst it is essential to take a day off when feeling stressed, it is also important to pinpoint the origin of where the stress is coming from. If it’s a reason that won’t be alleviated by a day off, then the issue should be resolved prior to taking time apart from school.
Allowing students to take mental health days off of school without getting backlash or negative effects should be mandatory throughout the nation. With mental health problems getting worse and worse among teens, it is vital that students are educated and instructed on proper ways to deal with stress and take care of themselves because after all, high school is meant to prepare students for the future.
