Why school days should be shorter for mental health?

Shorter school days gives the student more time outside of school to accommodate other aspects of their life. This means a student finally has the time to maintain and work on their mental health. Whether this is in the form of getting restful sleep, decompressing, or pursuing hobbies!

Does shorter school days improve mental health?

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics, shorter class time could also have positive effects on students' health, such as lower obesity rates, better sleep quality, and fewer mental health issues.

What are the benefits of shortening school days?

Why students should get mental health days off from school?

It helps students rest and recharge.

In many situations, taking a periodic day off to rest and recharge is exactly what a child needs. Giving them this time off also supports their autonomy over their own mental health and helps them learn how to manage their own mental well-being.

How does school work affect mental health?

When facing academic stress, adolescents and young adults are more likely to develop anxiety or depression. They also experience less well-being and tend to do poorly in school. When given a better academic situation, or academic support, research suggests that students experience improved mental health.

Why you should take a break: Prioritizing mental health in schools | Hailey Hardcastle | TEDxSalem

How does school hours affect students mental health?

Studies show that extra sleep for teenagers actually helps shield them against depression and anxiety. It's true! This study from 2017 showed that teenagers with school starting at 8:30am or later had better mental health than their earlier-starting counterparts.

Why is mental health not taken seriously in schools?

They are not equipped with the time, resources, or training necessary to give students with signs of mental health issues the unique attention they deserve. Moreover, mental health education is seldom part of the student's curriculum, even though parents recognize the importance of the subject.

Is it okay to skip school for a mental health day?

California: Governor Gavin Newsom signed a Senate bill into law in 2021 that allows students to miss school for mental or behavioral health concerns and treats the absences as a missed school day.

What are the cons of mental health days in schools?

Students may experience challenges in keeping up with academic material and class progress when taking mental health days, potentially leading to falling behind in their studies. This can result in missed lectures, incomplete assignments, and a lack of understanding of important course concepts.

Should I skip school if I'm tired?

As a teacher, I am not a big fan of kids missing class, especially math class, especially if they're struggling to begin with. However, if the student is truly exhausted, there is not likely to be much learning anyway, so perhaps it'd be a good idea to stay home and catch up on sleep.

Why should school days not be longer?

With such long hours, students are often tired and not able to give their full attention to the lessons. This means that they are not getting the best education possible. It is also important to consider the health of the students.

Why should school be shortened to 4 days?

Proponents of a four-day school week argue that it offers several benefits, including cost savings, improved student attendance and increased teacher morale. By reducing the number of school days, schools can save money on transportation, food and energy costs.

Why should school week be shorter?

A shorter week makes it easier to staff schools, a particularly challenging task for rural schools, due to their geographic isolation and lower salaries. Proponents of the four-day week also say a shorter workweek could get teachers to reconsider leaving their job, or bring retirees back into the classroom.

What are the disadvantages of longer school days?

Longer school days could result in attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. When students are too tired or mentally exhausted to concentrate, the last hour of the day becomes useless.

Why are school days so long?

The number one reason for lengthening the school day is to provide teachers with more time for instruction. Over the last century, humans have acquired a staggering amount of knowledge and understanding.

Should schools do more about mental health?

Being able to understand mental health and its struggles is something everyone would benefit from, whether that be adults, teens, or even adolescents. Educating students on topics such as anxiety and depression could not only help thousands of children but also save lives.

Do schools not care about mental health?

In the 2021-2022 school year, 96% of public schools reported offering at least one type of mental health service to their students.

How does a four day school week affect mental health?

A four day school week will help alleviate some of the rising stress levels in our students, while aiming to enhance student, teacher, and parent mental health.

Is anxiety a reason to skip school?

Aside from physical illness and bad weather, anxiety is the top reason high school students missed school in the past year, according to the results of a student survey from the EdWeek Research Center.

Why do I feel guilty missing school?

You probably feel this way due to the fact that there is a certain set of expectations that your colleagues and society have for you. You are supposed to go to school, learn, work hard and give it your best. We are taught those things from early on in life.

How many students struggle with mental health?

How Many College Students Experience Mental Health Conditions? The American College Health Association's (ACHA) Spring 2022 National College Health Assessment surveyed over 54,000 undergraduate students. It revealed that approximately 77% were experiencing moderate to serious psychological distress.

How does school affect mental health 2023?

The pressure to perform well can make students overanxious. Stress from failure and negative emotions from social rejection also contribute to mental health decline. The following can affect students' mental health negatively. High expectations – students can be under the pressure of their parents' high expectations.

What are the biggest mental health issues in schools?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one in five children and adolescents experience a mental health problem during their school years. Examples include stress, anxiety, bullying, family problems, depression, learning disability, and alcohol and substance abuse.

Why shouldn't school start early?

During the school week, school start times are the main reason students wake up when they do. The combination of late bedtimes and early school start times results in most adolescents not getting enough sleep. Getting enough sleep can improve academic performance.

How many students struggle with mental health because of homework?

Many students get overwhelmed with the amount of homework they receive, which can cause mental health issues. Around 65% of high school students deal with severe anxiety and 52% are diagnosed with depression.