Mental health should be prioritized in school settings
Is missing school due to mental health related problems justified? I think so. Not only is it
necessary, but school administrations need to be carefully monitoring their system because
according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 20% of adolescents develop
a mental health problem during their years of schooling (National Association of School
Psychologists). When reaching out to Carmela Martinez, the Freshman-Sophomore Student
Council VP, she expresses, “Mental health days would allow students a break and a day to
reset.” I fully agree with Carmela’s standing on the topic. Mental health days can give students
time to fully relax so they can come back to school and have a clear mind to fully take
advantage of their education. Emilie Moorman, another student from the sophomore class,
explains, “Mental health days should be enforced because students deal with an enormous
amount of pressure. This buildup can lead to mental health problems and panic attacks.”
Moorman furthers this statement by adding, “The student’s grades will inevitably drop when they
are exceedingly stressed.” I strongly agree with this statement. There are many moments where
assignments, tests, quizzes, and the strive for academic validation can deeply affect the
student’s personal life. Without a day to take a beat or allow your mind to rest, the problem can
become concerning. Based on the first-hand perspectives on the effects of mental health
overall, it is quite clear that mental health days are something that could be taken into
consideration in the future.
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