In 2023, 39.7% of students in the United States experienced persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
Mental health is a growing national problem, and states are starting to pay more attention to those struggling. In 2021, an Illinois bill granted students the right to take up to five mental health days throughout the school year without a doctor’s note.
“Allowing students to take mental health days [communicates] that we’re supportive of student mental health as a statewide initiative,” said Damaris Rodriguez, an ETHS social worker.
As a social worker, it is crucial for Rodriguez and her team to recognize when students miss school due to mental health reasons. Mental health days are categorized separately, distinguishing them from absences due to family vacations or field trips, for instance. This classification enables ETHS professionals to identify students’ needs earlier, preventing a mental health decline.
“When absences are [labeled] as mental health days, we can track students who are potentially struggling with their mental health,” said Rodriguez.
After a student takes two consecutive mental health days, a social worker, counselor or someone else from their grade level team will contact their family to check in.
Rodriguez encourages students to take mental health days when needed, but emphasizes that they are not mandatory.
“I’m sure some students use all five and wish they had more and that other students never use a mental health day,” said Rodriguez.
Daisy Bagley, an ETHS sophomore, has never taken a mental health day. She agrees that the decision to take a mental health day varies by student.
“I think that the need for a mental health day depends on the student and on the pacing of the classes the student takes,” said Bagley.
Students are required to complete the assignments they miss when taking a mental health day, and this is one reason why Bagley is reluctant to enjoy a day off. The overwhelming amount of work she would need to catch up on upon her return to school makes the idea of taking a break feel impossible.
“I would be worried about what I was missing in terms of deadlines, important directions and assignments. I might even have to do a lot of the learning myself because I missed instruction,” said Bagley.
Luckily for Bagley, her teachers are usually understanding when she is absent.
“Teachers are the ones assigning the work, so they understand how [difficult] it can be for students,” said Bagley.
However, some teachers doubt the legitimacy of mental health days.
“Most of my teachers are supportive when I take a mental health day, but some teachers think that mental health days aren’t as important as sick days,” said Molly Nussbaum, an ETHS sophomore.
No matter her teachers’ thoughts on mental health, Nussbaum will take a mental health day when she needs one.
“I usually sleep in, and I focus on self-care,” said Nussbaum.
Nussbaum is not alone in catching up on sleep on mental health days. 70% of teenagers do not get the recommended nine hours of sleep for brain development. Sleep deprivation negatively affects how students think, react and learn, and these abilities are necessary in the classroom. Sleep can be the perfect restorative activity for a mental health day.
There are also many other ways to make the most of the day. Nicole Debnar, a counselor at ETHS, suggests spending time outside, working out or journaling, for example.
“Students should spend their day doing things they enjoy that reduce stress. It can be anything as long as they’re being safe and taking care of themselves,” said Debnar.
She also emphasizes the usefulness of the ETHS Virtual Calming Room. On the Google Site, students have access to breathing exercises, relaxing music and even videos and live camera footage featuring cute animals. The resource has a page providing students with information specifically about mental health days as well.
Debnar notes that mental health days reduce the chances of school avoidance and school refusal. They can be extremely helpful if students feel fatigued, burnt out or exhausted. She adds that students might also take a mental health day to grieve the loss of a family member or friend, especially if they have already used their allotted funeral days and need additional time to cope. Whatever the reason, Debnar hopes that students feel refreshed and better after taking a day off.
“Mental health days are in place to promote the idea of student wellness,” said Debnar.
Debnar recommends that students talk to their counselor or teachers for guidance concerning mental health. They can also contact their academic intervention team or 504 or IEP plan case managers for assistance.
“Students need to realize that they have so many resources available to them and that they don’t have to struggle alone,” said Debnar.
Debnar recognizes that reaching out can be intimidating, but she promises that it is worth the effort.
“Sometimes, this generation might shy away from talking to people and asking for help, but sending an email is a great first step.”
Mark Vondracek, an ETHS physics teacher, encourages students to speak up about their struggles.
“We can help students, but only if we know that they’re going through something,” said Vondracek.
Vondracek is an ETHS teacher of 30 years, and he realizes the importance of mental health days.
“I’ve taught for a long time, and the way that some of our students push themselves, they run themselves into the ground quite literally both mentally and physically,” said Vondracek.
When students miss his class for any reason, they know where to look to catch up. Over the years, Vondracek has created plenty of videos on various physics topics for each of his classes. They are always available to his students on Google Classroom.
Vondracek understands that when considering whether to take a mental health day, students must thoughtfully evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks. Mental health days might not be as rewarding as they seem.
“What students need to do is ask themselves, ‘What are the consequences if I take the mental health day?’” said Vondracek.
In class, Vondracek’s students participate in Rebel Human calming activities before beginning classwork or taking tests. He also has a unique approach to helping students overcome depression and anxiety: gratitude.
Vondracek encourages his students to give back, and he offers numerous options for them to get involved from his classroom.
Alongside his students, Vondracek addresses the achievement and opportunity gaps between students of color and their white peers in elementary schools. Some students grow fresh produce in tower gardens that is distributed to families in need through his partnership with Evanston Grows. Vondracek and his students have raised money to support schools in Malawi, Africa where drought and famine have had severe impacts on children’s education and well-being.
“We need to acknowledge that our problems are important, but comparing them to what other people go through has an enormous effect on mental health,” said Vondracek.
Students can practice gratitude once they leave ETHS, and this is just one strategy they can use to support and strengthen their mental well-being.
“Students can engage in ongoing and consistent therapy, take advantage of walk-in or drop-in support with psychologists or see counselors or social workers. All of this can be continued once they leave ETHS with outside therapists or college campus support,” said Debnar.
