EMPLOYEE WHO TOOK SICK DAYS FOR MENTAL HEALTH GETS UNEXPECTED RESPONSE FROM CEO
Dickey said the new proposal would help reduce the stigma of mental illness and help raise awareness that such conditions often interfere with a child's education.
The New Hampshire Legislature has begun debate on a bill to introduce mental health days to the Granite State's K-12 public schools.
"A mental health day is not intended for a student to avoid classes or assignments, rather an approved mental health absence can help open the door for schools to assist struggling students with overall mental health care," she said.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY: 'IT'S OK TO ASK FOR SUPPORT OR HELP'
Twelve other states have similar laws and others are considering it, said Emma Sevigny of New Futures, a health advocacy group.
"Removing this barrier of having an absence on their report card removes the stigma of having mental illness and also improves the ability for students to take that time without fear of negative consequences to their grades and other aspects of their education," said Sevigny, the organization’s policy coordinator for children’s behavioral health.
No one at the public hearing spoke against the bill, which has both Republicans and Democrats as sponsors. That bipartisan support bodes well at a time when the 400-member House is nearly evenly split between the two parties.