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.