As of early 2026, approximately 14 percent of teenagers globally experience a mental health disorder, with anxiety and depression at the top of that list. Furthermore, in the U.S., about 40 percent of high school students have reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to the CDC.

Any number of people who struggle with mental health disorders is too many. Furthermore, when a student is facing
challenges with their mental health, that struggle can interfere with their performance at school, and their overall functioning. Overall, schools creating time for students to focus on their mental health is beneficial, and our school should follow suit.

Across the country, a shift is happening. Schools are beginning to recognize something that students have known for a long time: learning does not happen when your mind is overwhelmed. When students feel physically unwell, many stay home and take time for themselves in order to feel better. The same principles should be applied to mental health. Thankfully, our school provides us two mental health days off from school per year, and it can be important to use them in order to get back on track when it comes to academics. While the two excused days off for a mental health day can be beneficial, the 14 percent of teenagers experiencing a mental health disorder, as well as approximately 40 percent who may feel sadness or helplessness may need more than that.

Many schools in the country and also the ECC, like Bacon Academy and Wheeler High School (as well as throughout the United States), have started to incorporate a single mental wellness day per year, during school hours.

What does this look like? Administration from these schools sets up a single day in the school year, usually after spring SATs but before AP exams. This is an extremely stressful time, especially for juniors, but after winter is over, anyone can feel burnt out and in need of a day without having to worry about the stress associated with school work. This day works to both educate students about mental health disorders, and also provides activities that are not only enjoyable, but give students valuable strategies to use when struggling with mental health, especially stress. Some of these activities include, but are not limited to: yoga, walks/time with activities outside, coloring/painting, team building activities, healthy snack ideas and meal planning (especially beneficial for athletes), and aromatherapy.

At first glance, a day without classes might sound like just a way to have a break from schoolwork. However, a well-planned mental wellness day is far more intentional than a day off. The idea of a mental wellness day is to create time for students to mentally and physically reset, reconnect, and recharge.

On top of assignments, many students are simultaneously balancing sports, jobs, and responsibilities at home. It is important to schedule a time for a break to protect against burnout. The idea of a mental wellness day is to acknowledge the reality of what it is like to be a teenager instead of ignoring it. This is especially important for ELHS students, as our school is often ranked one of the top schools in the state. Our high pressure and high-achieving lifestyle necessitates a break.

Unlike a typical school day filled with quizzes, tests, and impending deadlines, a mental health day is filled with optional activities that are both beneficial and enjoyable. The key to the options mentioned earlier is the idea of choice. Students can participate in what they feel will benefit them most with the company of their friends, instead of another stressful obligation. The overarching idea of this mental wellness day is to do more than provide short-term relief. It will help students learn what works for them in stressful environments and apply it, build habits, and build awareness to remove the stigma around mental health. When students return to school after class, the idea is to be refreshed, more focused, and motivated to finish the school year off strong. This will also benefit teachers; their students will be ready to focus and provide insight in the classroom.

With surrounding schools starting to implement mental wellness days, it is clear that our EL should take the step forward to implement similar tactics. In a system that often prioritizes constant effort and productivity, it is normal to become stressed and burnt out. Taking a day to pause may seem unusual, but it may be one of the most effective changes that a school can make.