The idea of taking mental health days isn’t new; we’ve often joked about it as if we could just pause life to focus on ourselves. But that’s not the reality we should accept. Embracing the importance of mental health is crucial, and it’s time we acknowledge that just as we take sick days for physical ailments, we also need mental health days to recharge and practice self-care.
Over the last year and a half, the conversation around mental health days has shifted from casual talk to actual policies in the workplace. Imagine if we had prioritized mental well-being from an early age. Although young students engage in mindfulness exercises, this crucial focus tends to diminish as they grow older. What are we doing to ensure that teens continue to prioritize their mental health?
The pressures facing today’s adolescents are far greater than those we experienced. With heightened expectations and intense academic demands, many teens find themselves overwhelmed. Disturbingly, data from the CDC shows a staggering 51% increase in suicide attempts among adolescent girls aged 12-17 during the pandemic. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for support and resources for our youth, and thankfully, many teens are stepping up to advocate for change themselves.
Everyone has mental health, regardless of age, and understanding how to care for it is essential. Today’s youth are leading the charge in advocating for their well-being. According to a New York Times article, eight states have enacted laws allowing students to take time off for mental health reasons, with many of the advocates being students themselves. This self-awareness is a vital skill; recognizing the need for a break is something many adults struggle with.
Parents play a crucial role in supporting their children’s mental health. While it’s vital to encourage kids to express their feelings, it’s equally important to differentiate between using mental health days as a proactive self-care strategy versus a temporary solution for deeper issues.
Turning Self-Care into Reality, Not Just Buzzwords
Implementing mental health days into routine may be easier said than done, especially with the misconception that adolescents should just “toughen up.” The reality is that today’s teens are facing real challenges. Incorporating mental health days into their schedules is just one aspect of a broader self-care strategy. Sometimes, students might not need a full day off but rather a moment to regroup during a hectic day. Schools must have systems in place to support students in these situations.
For example, a school in Colorado has introduced “wellness rooms” where students can take a breather and calm down after stressful moments in class. Even as adults, we can relate to the need for a space to process our emotions rather than suppress them. These are the habits we should be teaching our children, not the opposite.
Let’s support future generations by learning from our past mistakes regarding mental health. Remember: burnout is not something to be proud of. Being too busy to prioritize self-care doesn’t win you any rewards.
Establishing healthy boundaries and nurturing supportive friendships can significantly contribute to good mental health. Our teens are observant, and they are likely to carry forward practices that work while discarding harmful stigmas around mental well-being. Self-care is not a selfish act, though many of us may have been taught otherwise. If we had prioritized mental health earlier in life, we might not find ourselves playing catch-up later.
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Summary:
Teens are increasingly advocating for mental health days from school, recognizing the importance of mental well-being. As pressures mount, many states have begun to pass laws allowing students to take time off for mental health reasons, often driven by student advocacy. Parents play a pivotal role in supporting their children’s mental health while schools must create environments that facilitate self-care. Establishing routines that include mental health days and wellness spaces can significantly benefit adolescents, helping to foster a culture of self-care and destigmatize mental health issues.
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Teens, mental health, self-care, mental health days, advocacy, wellness, education, parents, adolescents, support.