Nicolette Weinbaum ’12
Staff Writer

AP Courses, sports, clubs, internships, college applications, after-school activites, SATs, ACTs, and CAPTs. Staples High School students who become overwhelmed by the many tasks they take on, handle the responsibilities of school by taking mental health days.

“The life of an average Staples High School student can be extremely stressful.” Sophia Ferry ‘12 said.

Given the day-to-day demands, more and more students are calling for a so-called mental health day to relieve the pressure

The concept of a mental health day is that students who feel stressed are allowed to sleep in late, collect their thoughts, and de-stress.

Staples nurse Suzie Miller says mental health days are a good thing.

“We can all use a break… if it means doing something positive for yourself,” Miller said.

Caela McCann ‘11, for example says she takes mental health days when she feels she needs it.

“[Mental health days] help me recognize that school isn’t everything.” McCann said. “I probably get five to seven hours of sleep every night. Six on average.”

In order to catch up on sleep, these mental health days could be potentially beneficial. According to the National Sleep Foundation, the busy life of a student does impact their health negatively. Teenagers need about 9 1/4 hours of sleep each night to function best (for some, 8 1/2 hours is enough).

Most teens do not get enough sleep — one study found that only 15 percent of students reported sleeping 8 1/2 hours on school nights.

In order to catch up on sleep, these mental health days could be potentially beneficial.

Morgan Tacopina ‘11 agrees. “Oh god, yeah I take mental health days. I usually stay home and just sleep in. My mom calls in sick for me and picks an excuse.”

Even parents recognize the importance of providing their child with a break from the relentless stress once in a while, and appear to be willing to cover for them to have that privilege.

Patty McQuone, attendance secretary, says on average there are 60 to 70 parents who provide excused absences every day.

During her 10 years at Staples, McQuone recalls only three parents telling her explicitly their child was out due to a mental health day.

But even McQuone concedes that a mental health day is a legitimate excuse for the occasional absence.

“I think everyone needs them,” said Mcquone.

Parents at a senior parent breakfast, admitted that they allowed their sons and daughters to have mental health days. None however would give their name.