Caring for your mental health should be held to the same standard as caring for your physical health, which is why mental health days should be provided for students whenever they need it in order to achieve academic success.

Have you ever heard of the term ‘burnout’? It is defined as “a negative emotional, physical and mental reaction to prolonged study that results in exhaustion, frustration, lack of motivation and reduced ability in school”. Students across the world experience this phenomenon because they are constantly being pushed extremely hard by their parents, teachers, coaches, and more. Twenty years ago, the average acceptance rate at top universities was around 20-25%. Today admission rates are closer to 5%, which means competition is much higher among high school students. College becomes a huge topic of conversation, and students often feel the pressure of “If I make one wrong move, then the rest of my life will derail,” which is an extremely harmful idea that is placed on kids. Some days, kids simply need to have one day where they can recuperate and gain some energy back, which is why school boards should incorporate mental health days into the school year without causing feelings of stress and shame toward the students. 

The Mayo Health Clinic states that participating in a mental health day can reduce burnout in general by improving morale and productivity, and it can prevent long-term absences. Almost every kid has been guilty of faking a little cough or stuffy nose here and there in order to try and “ditch” school, to which most parents roll their eyes and send them on their way, but we should really be asking why a kid might be so insistent on staying home. Just having a quick conversation with your child can provide you with the information you need in order to better understand how they’re feeling. Many schools have seen drops in academic performance due to burnout, but burnout can very well cause physical symptoms that are just as harmful. Fatigue and exhaustion are the consequence of your body and mind being in survival mode for so long, and this has a harmful effect on your body in the long run like chronic headaches, changes in your diet, and sleep issues. 

Mental health days are crucial for students because the excessive work put on students causes stress, and stress causes a decrease in academic performance, which then leads to more symptoms of dissatisfaction and depression. Burnout has a snowball effect that, if not stopped, could be detrimental to teens in school. If you think schools should provide mental health days for the wellbeing of their students, you can call your local representatives or talk with your school board, and raise awareness through social media or other online platforms. The best way to achieve academic success is to take care of your mind when needed, something that schools often gloss over.