Mental Health Days For Students Across The U.S.

Commentary and Photo by RaQuel Milner

Ever since the pandemic hit, everyone across the world has had to make daily life changes—whether it be wearing a mask, staying inside more often, or even greatly distancing themselves from friends and family. This came with its benefits but it also came with a lot of negative physical and mental consequences for everyone including teenagers and children. As a result of this, I believe that students should be able to have mental health days and shouldn’t be penalized for prioritizing their mental health. 

So far there are only eight states (Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and Virginia) that give students mental health days. For instance, NPR shared how Illinois allows students to request mental health days by going through their school counselor. Their parents are then contacted and students can get the help they need. This gives students the ability to have a way to reach out for help from their schools. It also benefits the schools in a way, as it helps improve grades and test scores. This is why we need more states to really think about the kids and these policies because they are our future whether we want to accept it or not.

With all this being said, I believe that if schools really care about their students then they should think about how their students are doing mentally. If this problem is taken seriously, then kids would be more open to receiving and asking for help.

RaQuel Milner is a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.