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Should You Be Allowed to Skip School When You’re Stressed?

Some states now allow students to take “mental health days.” Is that a good idea?

February 2021

by Anna Starecheski

When Hailey Hardcastle was a kid, she and her mom made a deal. Hailey could take three days off from school each semester. They called these her “mental health days.”

Hailey has two mental illnesses—depression and anxiety. Taking breaks made it easier for her to stay happy and healthy.

Then, when Hailey was in high school, she had an idea. Why shouldn’t every kid get this chance? So she and some other students in Oregon joined together. After months of hard work, they got a state law passed. It says that kids can take a day off when they feel overwhelmed.

Hailey believes this law will help students who are struggling. But others worry: Is it really the best way to deal with teens’ stress?

When Hailey Hardcastle was a kid, she and her mom made a deal. Hailey could take three days off from school each semester. They called these her “mental health days.”

Hailey has two mental illnesses: depression and anxiety. Taking breaks helped her stay happy and healthy.

When Hailey was in high school, she had an idea. Why shouldn’t every kid get this chance? So she and some other students in Oregon worked together. It took months, but they got a state law passed. It says that kids can take a day off when they feel stressed.

Hailey believes this law will help students who are struggling. But others worry: Is it really the best way to deal with teens’ stress?

When Hailey Hardcastle was a kid, she and her mother made an agreement. Hailey could take three days off from school each semester. They called these her “mental health days.”

Hailey has two mental illnesses—depression and anxiety. Taking breaks made it easier for her to stay happy and healthy.

Then, when Hailey was in high school, it crossed her mind that other kids could benefit from the same arrangement. So she and some other students in Oregon worked for months to get a state law passed. It says that kids can take a day off when they feel overwhelmed.

Hailey believes this law will help students who are struggling—but others worry that it might not be the best way to help teens manage stress.

A Different Kind of Illness

Mental health has become a big concern in America. In one poll, 70 percent of teens said anxiety and depression are the biggest issues they face. These mental illnesses are just as real as physical ones. And they often start to appear in middle and high school.

That’s why experts say it’s important to pay attention to mental health early. “We need to give students the chance to say they need a break,” says Jennifer Rothman. She works for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “That way, they’ll learn to put their mental health first as adults.”

Mental health is a big concern in America. In one poll, 7 out of 10 teens said anxiety and depression are the biggest issues they face. These mental illnesses are as real as physical ones. And they often start to appear in middle and high school.

Experts say we should learn about mental health early. “We need to give students the chance to say they need a break,” says Jennifer Rothman. She works for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “That way, they’ll learn to put their mental health first as adults.”

Mental health has become a major concern in America. In one poll, 70 percent of teenagers said anxiety and depression are the biggest issues they face. These mental illnesses are just as real as physical ones—and they often start to appear in middle and high school.

That’s why experts say it’s important to pay attention to mental health early. “We need to give students the chance to say they need a break,” says Jennifer Rothman, who works for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “That way, they’ll learn to put their mental health first as adults.”

Finding Support

Jessica Adamson/Providence Health & Services via AP Images

These Oregon students helped get the law passed. (Hailey is the second one from the right!)

Still, some people say days off aren’t the answer. “I think we need more mental health breaks,” says Sandra Zajac-Naylor. She’s a middle school teacher in Connecticut. She would like to see schools offer yoga and other activities during the school day to help students relax.

Many parents agree with Zajac-Naylor. They also say kids need to learn how to cope with stress—not avoid it. In their opinion, mental health days don’t teach that.

Then there’s the question of safety. Let’s say a sad or stressed teen stays home. That day, their parents are at work. Will they really get the support they need?

Still, some people say days off aren’t the answer. “I think we need more mental health breaks,” says Sandra Zajac-Naylor. She’s a middle school teacher in Connecticut. She thinks yoga classes during the school day could help students relax.

Many parents agree. They say kids should learn how to cope with stress, not avoid it. And they say mental health days don’t teach that.

And what about safety? Let’s say a sad or stressed teen stays home. What if their parents are at work? Will they get the help they need?

Still, some people say days off aren’t the answer. “I think we need more mental health breaks,” says Sandra Zajac-Naylor, a middle school teacher in Connecticut. She would like to see schools offer yoga and other activities during the school day to help students relax.

Many parents agree with Zajac-Naylor. They also say kids need to learn how to cope with stress—not avoid it. In their opinion, mental health days don’t teach that.

Then there’s the question of safety. If a sad or stressed teen stays home and their parents are at work, will they really get the support they need?

No More Shame

Oregon isn’t the only state that allows mental health days. Utah does too. And several other states are considering them. Hailey hopes these new laws will make it easier for kids to speak up about their mental health.

“Mental health issues are not going away,” Hailey says. “But we can handle them by looking out for each other and ourselves.”

Oregon isn’t the only state that allows mental health days. Utah does too. And other states might soon. Hailey hopes these new laws will help kids speak up about their mental health.

“Mental health issues are not going away,” she says. “But we can handle them by looking out for each other and ourselves.”