In school, we are taught many things about mental health. We are taught to take breaks when needed as well as to reach out to a trusted adult or loved one. Now, this brings up the question as to if students should be allowed excused absences with mental health being the cause.

One student, a 10th grader, agrees that mental health should be a valid excuse for absences because as a student, she can agree that we all need breaks. She states, “Sometimes it gets bad, you know? It feels as if you kind of just want to lay in bed all day and do nothing.”

Not only as a student, but as a person, we all need breaks sometimes. Mental health is something that is so often spoken about and is viewed as very important. So why is it that just not feeling like “yourself” is not a perfect reason for being absent?

Additionally, another student, Safyre, says that, “Stress upon stress makes things worse.” As a student, Assignments do topple up and sometimes the weekend barely feels like time to relax because I’m stuck catching up on assignments.

A psychology teacher, Ms. Bell, also agrees that mental health days should be excused because she says that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Though there are many different viewpoints, at our school, we offer many types of support for mental health, so not having mental health excused absences will not take away from how important we mental health is. Mental health is something that is important, and it is perfectly fine to have days where you do not feel like yourself. If those days seem to be frequent, please talk to a trusted adult. You are loved and appreciated at HHS!