Recent Survey Finds Stigma and Income Hinder Implementation of Mental Health Days in Schools

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By Jo Anne Hubert , Parent Herald Aug 20, 11:12 pm

Three out of four parents feel and acknowledge that Mental Health Days can be an effective tool in managing their kid's mental health. However, a recent survey revealed that stigma and income hinder its implementation in the school.

The "Mental Health Days & Kids: A Verywell Mind & Parents" study was recently released by Verywell Mind and Parents. It surveyed more than 1,000 American parents, exploring and analyzing the different advantages and hindrances of mental health days for children and how the income status of parents can be a hindrance to the access and availability of students for mental health days.

According to Cision, the study implied a positive perception and favorable parental support. However, parents have shown concern regarding its permissibility, and more so on what others will think and say about them and their kids if practicing mental health days.

The survey showed that 55 percent of the parents have already allowed their child to take a mental health day from school or other obligations. Thirty-two percent of the rest of the parents surveyed said that they would consider it.

Of those parents who let their child take mental health days, a generous number at 86 percent saw that mental health days impacted their child's mental health. Seventy-seven percent declared that the impact was a positive one.

A shocking result revealed that while 3 out of 4 parents believe in the effectiveness and help mental health days can offer their child, 46 percent of them are not open to family and/or friends that their child is taking or has taken a mental health day.

Parents cannot afford Mental Health Days

Parents, the other organization that did the study, stated that even if mental health days are still not legitimate universally, there are already schools across the United States that are starting to recognize the importance and the usefulness of mental health days in efficient education. However, the journey is still too long, and there are hurdles to cross.

"Presently, over half the country does not have legislation for mental health days in schools, and even where it is mandated, 1 in 5 parents can't afford to let their kids take one. They can't miss work or pay for unexpected child care, so taking a day to reset and recharge becomes a question of privilege for many families," says editor-in-chief of Parents, Grace Bastidas.

The study further revealed that only schools in wealthy neighborhoods are more likely to offer and allow their students mental health days. Ninety-one percent of parents will let their children take mental health days if their household income is $100k and above, and only if the school permits.

What is Mental Health Day, and why is it important?

Mental Health Day, as defined by Dr. Sarah Cain Spannagel, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist, is providing or allowing a day off for children or students, even if they aren't sick, to take care of their mental and emotional well-being, which is of equal importance.

Dr. Spannagel explained that by allowing kids to take a day off from school and encouraging them, parents could powerfully communicate that there is power in taking care of themselves promptly. It is of significance that children are taught to integrate these coping skills into their daily lives. This will result in better mental health and a better state of life.

Matt Shenker, MEd, a former elementary school counselor and now a resident in counseling at Thriveworks, added schools are stressful even with the kindest teachers and most caring support group. Even the most well-resourced students will still encounter extensive stress at school. "A chronically stressed brain is not in learning mode; it is in survival mode. So there is an argument to be made that giving students mental health days makes teaching and learning more effective as students will grasp concepts sooner and retain them more deeply if they experience less chronic stress," Shenker pointed out.

The National Alliance on Mental Health in the United States revealed that 1 out of 6 children aged 6-17 go through the devastating journey of mental health disorder, while half of a lifetime of mental illness begins at 14 years old, VeryWell Mind shared.

These given statistics reflect the urgency and significance of prevention and support. They concluded that offering mental health days is a leap to better education and individuals in the nation.