Studies have shown that mental health is a significant issue among students and youth -- nearly 10 percent of youth cope with severe major depression, and 60 percent of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents. This is additionally devastating to our youth, who are already our most vulnerable.
 
Student mental health is just as important as physical health, and normalizing support for students with mental health issues has increased in the last several years. Teen mental health has been recognized as a crisis, and it is important for the Commonwealth to take charge in protecting the well-being of its citizens. Both Oregon and Utah have passed legislation with broad, bipartisan support to allow students to take excused absences for mental health reasons. We will introduce legislation modeled after the Utah law that allows students to take excused absences to help them treat and recover from mental health issues. This legislation will not create additional personal or sick days for student mental health, rather it will allow students to properly categorize their absences from school.
 
This legislation offers several benefits. First, it helps normalize mental health supports and encourages students to take care of their mental health as they would their physical health. Second, it provides schools with additional insight. Students struggling with mental health often skip school, with or without an excuse. Third, this legislation will allow schools to connect students with essential supports rather than simply punishing them. This bill will require a staff member from a school’s Student Assistance Program team to talk to a student that has taken two or more mental health days and to offer mental health supports to help address any issues.
 
It is time to help students who are struggling with mental health issues get the resources, support, and help they need. We hope you agree and will cosponsor this legislation.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 834 (May 22, 2025): P.L.30, No.14