Sarah Grace Meyn

As discussions around mental health become increasingly prominent in education, some schools are considering incorporating mental health days into their curriculum. With more students facing anxiety, depression, and burnout, there is a growing acknowledgment that emotional well-being is as crucial as academic achievement.
A small survey was conducted to gauge opinions on the inclusion of mental health days at the University of Southern Mississippi. Students offered varying perspectives on whether such days should be implemented.
“Hmm, I think the addition of mental health days would help mitigate mental breakdowns in many ways,” said USM junior Kaitochukwu Chukwuka. “My only concern is that instructors would probably increase the workload to make up for the missing day and make the process ineffective altogether. Maybe the school system should be more flexible to accommodate individuals who feel overworked.”
Sophomore Abdul Hamid Arikewuyo provided a different viewpoint.
“Most students have three days a week to rest, including Friday,” Arikewuyo said. “That serves as enough to take a mental break if you ask me. There’s no obvious disadvantage. Advantages include better health and well-being, more active students, and mood improvement.”
Research indicates that students today face more stress and anxiety than in previous years. Proponents of mental health days argue that designated breaks could offer students an opportunity to focus on their well-being, recharge, and seek support if necessary. Without periodic breaks, some say the continuous pressure of schoolwork can lead to burnout, and a mental health day could help students return refreshed and better prepared to learn.
Advocates also suggest that by normalizing mental health days, schools can reduce the stigma around mental health struggles and encourage students to seek help when needed. Studies have shown that emotional well-being is closely linked to academic performance, with students who take care of their mental health tending to perform better in school.
However, there are concerns about the potential misuse of mental health days. Some worry that students may use them as an excuse to skip class without a genuine need. To address this, schools need clear guidelines on how often these days can be taken and how requests should be handled. Additionally, some parents and teachers are concerned that missing class could disrupt learning.
To ensure mental health days are effective, experts suggest that students should have access to proper support systems so that all students, regardless of their background, can benefit equally.
Despite the challenges, many believe that integrating mental health days into school policies could have a positive impact on students' well-being. Supporters argue that when students feel supported emotionally, they are less stressed, more engaged, and more likely to succeed academically.
With careful planning and thoughtful policies, mental health days could become an important step toward creating a healthier, more balanced school environment.