Survey Shows Impact of Mental Health Days on Children’s Mental Well-Being, According to Parents.
Girl Taking a Mental Health Day for Children’s Mental Well-Being.
Recently, I spoke to a high school senior named Abby* about whether she ever takes a day off from school just to prioritize her mental well-being—to pause, catch up on sleep, and clear her mind, which is crucial for children’s mental well-being.
“My mom offers mental health days to me and my brother, as long as we’re doing well academically. But I haven’t taken any since middle school,” she admits with a shrug. Abby is an ambitious student in a prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) program, all while balancing varsity soccer and a part-time job. Despite her achievements, she struggles with anxiety.
“As an IB student, the idea of missing school is scary—not just for students, but for adults too,” she explains. “At our ninth-grade orientation, the program head told us we could never afford to miss school because we’d quickly fall behind. Skipping one day of IB classes feels like missing a week’s worth of work. I’m scared to fall behind, especially when I know that prioritizing Children’s mental well-being is so important.”
So how does Abby cope when she feels mentally overwhelmed?
“Honestly, I just keep going until I break down, and then I have to stop,” she says, laughing nervously. “That’s how I hit reset, I guess.”
As a high school counselor, I’ve seen so many students like Abby push through their school days even when they’re struggling emotionally or physically. They keep going until they collapse, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
Most parents agree that mental health days—days when students take off from school to care for their mental well-being—can be helpful.
According to Mental Health Days & Kids, a survey of over 1,000 American parents conducted by Verywell Mind and Parents, 75% of parents believe mental health days can be a useful tool for managing their child’s emotional health and supporting children’s mental well-being.
Additionally, 56% of surveyed parents have allowed their child to take a mental health day, with another 32% saying they would consider it.
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The survey shows that 54% of parents are at least somewhat concerned about their child’s mental well-being, with around 35% reporting that their child shows signs of emotional distress at least once a week.
While parents acknowledge that factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, social media, and challenges around friendships and identity contribute to their children’s struggles, 47% point to school as a significant source of stress.
For most children, mental health days can be a valuable tool. The survey revealed that 86% of parents who allowed their kids to take mental health days said it positively affected their child’s overall health. Of those parents, 77% noticed a beneficial impact.
While schools are beginning to acknowledge the importance of mental health days, there’s still much work to be done. “Currently, over half the country lacks legislation for mental health days in schools.
Even in states where it’s allowed, 1 in 5 parents can’t afford to let their child take one,” explains Grace Bastidas, editor-in-chief of Parents. “Many families simply can’t miss work or cover the cost of child care, making a mental health day a luxury not everyone can afford.”
At present, 12 states classify mental health days as excused absences, equating them to missing school for a cold or other illness. More states are proposing similar laws. However, the specifics of these laws differ, with some requiring notes from mental health professionals or limiting the number of days a student can take.
Why Mental Health Days Matter for Kids
Dr. Sarah Cain Spannagel, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist with extensive experience working with children and teens, stresses the need to care for a child’s overall well-being.
“Just as you’d allow a day off for a cold, tending to a child’s emotional health is just as important,” Dr. Spannagel says. “Giving a day to focus on mental well-being can offer significant benefits.”
How Mental Health Days Encourage Self-Care
By not only permitting but encouraging mental health days, parents can teach their children the importance of self-care. According to Dr. Spannagel, the goal is to help kids develop these coping skills for lifelong emotional health.
“The pandemic, canceled activities, and remote learning have contributed to the growing mental health crisis among kids, prompting many states to allow mental health days as a way for students to focus on managing their emotions,” says Amy Morin, LCSW, editor-in-chief of Verywell Mind.
Jennifer Ross, whose son is now 18 and heading to college, shares how crucial mental health breaks have been for their family. “My son would ask to take a day off to go to the beach. With school, sports, and work, I wanted him to know it’s OK to take a breather when he needs it,” says Ross.
How Families Should Approach Mental Health Days
Interestingly, many students use their mental health days to catch up on homework. Others use the time to sleep in, play video games, or go out for fun activities like the beach or the movies. According to the survey, 60% of parents who allow mental health days say their kids prefer to stay home.
Dr. Spannagel emphasizes the importance of letting kids guide how they spend these days. She recommends avoiding too much screen time but advises parents to find out what will truly help their child feel recharged.
“Start by asking them what feels overwhelming and how they want to reset,” she says.
Finding a Balance for Children’s Mental Well-Being.
While some kids may feel too anxious to take a whole day off, there are other options. Dr. Spannagel suggests that even a half-day break can help alleviate stress without causing too much missed work.
Sometimes, simple acts of care can also make a difference. One parent shared that when her teens seem overwhelmed but won’t take time off, she’ll buy them a special treat or make their favorite meal to lift their spirits.
When a Mental Health Day Becomes Avoidance
Dr. Spannagel advises parents to be cautious about letting kids use mental health days as an excuse to dodge responsibilities. A mental health day should be a way to step away from the daily grind, not a way to avoid assignments or tests.
“I’d recommend taking just one or two days at a time, so it doesn’t become a habit,” says Dr. Spannagel.
Teachers Support Mental Health Days
Teachers also recognize the value of mental health days. Elementary school teacher Meghan Berzovich, who has one son in college and a daughter in high school, encourages them.
“Sometimes, it’s just about leaving school a bit early, but our kids know when they need a break. As a teacher, I feel like mental health days are necessary for children’s mental well-being—there’s so much going on in their lives.”
*Name changed for privacy.
Survey Methodology
The Mental Health Days & Kids survey, conducted by Verywell Mind and Parents, surveyed over 1,000 parents in the U.S. from June 23-29, 2022. Participants needed to be a live-in parent or guardian of a child aged 8-17. The survey represented a range of demographics across gender, race, and region, using U.S. Census estimates as a benchmark. The median household income of respondents was $69,000, and the median age of parents was 40.
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