There is a variety of reasons why students miss school: illness, vacation, school events, mental health, etc. Mental health has recently been added as a reason to be excused from school. Issues with mental health have increased since COVID-19.

School, in general, is very stressful. On top of that, coming back to school in person after a year online adds a lot more stress. So taking a day to yourself for your own mental health is important. “Some kids really struggle with controlling their mental health especially in school where there’s a lot of stress. So, I think if you feel like you can’t control how you’re feeling and school is affecting it, you should be able to leave,” junior Faith Nashif shares. 

Taking days off for mental health reasons is fairly new. Some people struggle to take that opportunity when needed. “But if you need to take a day, take a day. It’s much more important for you,” senior Trey Arzie said. 

People have a difficult time admitting that positive mental health is something they struggle with. School should be a safe place to address and discuss mental health. Sophomore Avery DeVincenzi shares that she wishes the school had “more advocacy about it so people feel heard and valued.”

Mental health is something that everyone deals with. Don’t be afraid to take care of yourself, take a day off if you need to. Friends counselors and staff are there to help.