You have probably been excused from school for many reasons; maybe it was sickness, a doctor's appointment, or the dentist. Whatever it's been, it's usually to look after yourself and your health.

But what about your mental health? Should mental health absences be excused from school, too?

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Exhaustion

The answer is yes. Life can be exhausting, and being a student is far from easy. Some days, you simply need a break. A mental health day offers this much-needed time off for self-care and recovery.

There are numerous benefits to this. Reaching a point of being so tired can lead to fatigue and sickness.

“Studies show that people who don't get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick” (“Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?”)

So why not address it before it causes you to miss even more school?

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Depression

Depression is another reason someone might need a mental health day. For many, struggling with depression means feeling like you constantly have to put on a happy face. This can affect your mental health.

“Depression can also look like an A student, a social butterfly, or a consummate professional. The most pulled-together, on-top-of-everything, energetic gregarious person you know could be suffering from depression.” (D'Amico)

This can be an exhausting struggle, and sometimes you just need a break from it all.

Anxiety

On top of that, school can worsen anxiety. For many, it is far from a relaxing, stress-free environment. Yes, it can be beneficial to face the stresses and anxiety of academia, but it can also help to take some time off from 5 days straight of constant stress and anxiety.

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Relationships

Additionally, being bullied or having friendship troubles is incredibly tough. Having to attend school every day when being hurt in the halls or arguing with a friend at lunch is tough. This is another reason why a day off can help with mental health.

Interviews

There are so many more reasons someone might need a mental health day.

High schoolers themselves have much to say about these much-needed pauses:

“ I took a mental health day because people were not being nice to me at school and I had just finished a test, so I needed a break.”

“I felt refreshed after the day off, but it was harder to go back after taking it."

“I have taken mental health days. I would sit in my room, relaxed to have time for myself. It helped my mental health. I also did not fall behind in school!”

What to Consider?

This brings up several good points. Sometimes, after a mental health day, it can be even more of a challenge to return from school. When deciding if you want to take a mental health day, I recommend you ask yourself the following questions:

1. Will I fall behind in school? For some, falling behind in school will cause more stress. Ask yourself if you feel like you are going to fall behind, if your grades are in a good enough place, and most importantly, how your mental health will be after.
2. Do I need to get out and socialize? For me, when my mental health is not at its best and going to school sounds like the worst thing ever, social interaction makes me feel better.
3. What will I do to take care of myself on my mental health day? I decide what I need for self-care and how I will achieve it. Some days, it is just time alone after over-socializing; other days, it is spending time with family or getting assignments done.

There have been many instances in which I have taken a mental health day. I do feel like being honest with my teachers as to why I was or will be gone has helped.

Every school is different; I know that advocating for myself, telling my teachers I am taking a mental health day, and asking how I can stay on track in class and do my work from home, has helped. I have also realized that a lot of the time after a mental health day, I return to school more focused, energized, and ready for class. This overall causes me to do better in school, so one day off has had the power to improve my grade, not worsen it.

Support

My last tip is to talk to someone. Mental health days can be a great time to reach out for support if you are struggling. Think of someone you feel safe and comfortable talking to: a family member, a friend, or a therapist. There are also numbers you could call with people available to talk about what's going on for you.

Overall, a mental health day is extremely beneficial in many scenarios. If someone is sick with a cold, I would tell them not to push themselves. The same goes for mental health.

If you feel like you need a day off and it will help you in the long run, advocate for yourself and don't push. You know yourself, and you know what is best for you. Follow what you think and, if a mental health day is needed, take it!

Works Cited

D'Amico, Pat. “What Is Smiling Depression And How Does It Look Like?” Paradigm Treatment, 5 February 2024, https://paradigmtreatment.com/people-smiling-depression/. Accessed 15 May 2024.

“Lack of sleep: Can it make you sick?” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/insomnia/expert-answers/lack-of-sleep/faq-20057757. Accessed 15 May 2024.