The mental health of students, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has become a subject of increasing concern. More and more states have begun proposing and enacting legislation that allows for mental health days for students in public schools, recognizing the importance of mental health in overall student well-being.
According to a study by Verywell Mind and Parents, 60% of parents of children aged 8 to 17 reported that the pandemic had at least somewhat affected their child’s mental health. Over a third of parents noticed mood and behavior changes in their children, with 37% observing their child having a harder time socializing. Nearly half of parents identified school as the top stressor for their tweens or teens. In response to this, 74% of parents believe that schools should offer mental health days for students. In addition, 77% of parents who have let their child take a mental health day on their own reported that the day had a positive impact, with the child spending the day discussing their feelings, spending time in nature, or simply relaxing1.
States that Recognize Mental Health Days
As of mid-2022, twelve states officially recognize mental health as a valid reason for a student to miss a day of school. Here is a brief overview of the states and their corresponding policies:
- Washington: A new law passed in June 2022 allows students to use mental or behavioral health reasons as a valid excuse for an absence1.
- California: Governor Gavin Newsom signed a Senate bill into law in 2021 that allows students to miss school for mental or behavioral health concerns, treating these absences as a regular missed school day1.
- Illinois: Starting January 1, 2022, schools must allow students to take up to five mental health days each year1.
- Virginia: In 2019, the general assembly of Virginia passed a bill that allows students to claim mental health as a valid excuse for an absence1.
- Maine: Governor Janet Mills signed a bill in 2020 that allows students to allot days off from school for mental and behavioral health reasons1.
- Connecticut: All students are allowed to take two mental health days from school per year as long as the days aren’t consecutive, according to a bill passed in 20211.
- Oregon: The state passed a law in 2019 that allows students to take up to five days off from school within a three-month period, including mental health days and typical sick days1.
- Arizona: Depending on the school district, students may be allowed to take mental health days similarly to how they would take a sick day, a policy that began in February 20211.
- Nevada: Students aged 7-18 can miss a school day for mental health reasons if they provide a note from a mental or behavioral health professional, a practice that started in 20211.