This is a major step in prioritizing mental health and providing support.
Most children will, at some point, have difficulty handling this.
School is stressful, Shenker says.
Verywell / Laura Porter
A chronically stressed brain is not in learning mode, it is in survival mode.
Shenker notes that schools have consistently communicated that students production and performance levels are top priority.
But many schools fail to invest the time and resources necessary for adequate emotional support for their students.
Verywell / Datawrapper
Offering mental health daysis a step in the right direction, and students are in support.
Schools need to treat mental health as a priority, Shenker says.
When Should a Child Take a Mental Health Day?
However, there are some signs to look out for that can indicate a negative shift in mental health.
Some of these include exhaustion, stomach aches, headaches and erratic shifts in mood.
Behavior is a form of communication.
Parents shouldnt worry about overstepping or making their child uncomfortable by asking them about how theyre doing.
However, it is important to pay attention to how you ask.
Instead, its essential parents learn the art of connecting with their child while allowing emotional ownership.
Parents should give children the option to share while emphasizing its their choice.
Parents can remind their kids that they are interested and available to listen and help.
Shenker recommends questions as simple as How do you feel right now?
and Do you know what you need right now?
An attempt to cram too many wellness activities into a single day could just lead to further stress.
But allowing a child to spend the day scrolling or staring at a screen may not be helpful either.
Plan at least one fun event that can take a childs mind off any stressors.
Perhaps most importantly, take time to talk and help your child better understand their emotional needs.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Mental health by the numbers.
4-H, Harris Insights & Analytics.Teen mental health.
