Mental Health Days Are Excused Absences
For the last decade, the mental health of children has been steadily declining, even before the COVID-19 pandemic interruptions. In 2021, Governor Jay Inslee declared children’s mental health to be in a state of emergency and in June 2022, Washington State legislature enacted a law, HB 1834, requiring mental health days to be coded as excused absences in schools. This bill was sponsored by both of our 5th Legislative District Representatives, Lisa Callan and Bill Ramos. The change will not only help students and parents feel more comfortable allowing for mental health days but also allow for districts to better track the reason for absences.
The idea that mental health should be treated the same as physical health has been gaining acceptance in recent years. As the rates of anxiety and/or depression in kids increases, it has become imperative that parents/guardians and schools take mental health seriously and provide support for those in need. An article published by The Child Mind Institute provides guidance for parents on how to best determine if a mental health day is needed, what questions to ask to get a better idea of what their children are struggling with, and when mental health days are not necessarily a good idea. This process can help parents understand if there is a bigger underlying issue that needs to be addressed or if their child just needs a day to rest.
Washington is the twelfth state in the country to enact legislation allowing for mental health days for students. In a survey conducted by Very Well Mind and Parents Magazine, nearly 50% of parents reported that school was one of the top stressors for their tween and teen children and 74% agree that mental health breaks from school are necessary for students to stay healthy. The benefits of allowing students to take mental health days, within reason, are numerous including recharging after a difficult or stressful week such as testing weeks, having arguments with friends, or just needing a day to rest.
HB 1834 requires that school districts create their own rules around how to properly record mental health absences as excused. Currently, Tahoma School District requires parent/guardian verification for an absence to be considered excused. Keep in mind, the policy has not changed regarding the number of absences allowed each year. According to policy 3122 – Excused and Unexcused Absence, students who miss more than 5 days in a month or 10 days in a year may be required to attend a conference with their parent/guardian to identify barriers to regular attendance as well as providing support and resources. However, if a student has a doctor’s note or has an academic plan in place allowing for increased absences, a conference would not be required. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) has also created a guide to explain mental health related absence.
School attendance is an important predictor of student educational outcomes, along with other factors such as school safety, having supportive teachers, and inclusive curriculum. Disciplining students for unexcused absences can exacerbate the situation as most often disciplinary action includes loss of credit, detention, and further exclusion from activities. By allowing for mental health absences to be excused, students are able to take care of their mental health without the worry of disciplinary action. The added benefit of schools being able to collect data on mental health absences can also help districts better understand and act on the need for safer and more inclusive schools which has a direct impact on student mental health and well being.
Below are the phone numbers and emails to report an absence.
Cedar River Elementary, 425-413-5454, croffice@tahomasd.us
Glacier Park Elementary, 425-413-3700, gpoffice@tahomasd.us
Lake Wilderness Elementary, 425-413-3500, lwoffice@tahomasd.us
Rock Creek Elementary, 425-413-3300, rcoffice@tahomasd.us
Shadow Lake Elementary, 425-413-6100, sloffice@tahomasd.us
Tahoma Elementary, 425-413-3600, teoffice@tahomasd.us
Maple View Middle School, 425-413-5500, mvattend@tahomasd.us
Summit Trail Middle School, 425-413-5600, stattend@tahomasd.us
Tahoma High School, 425, 413-6200, thattend@tahomasd.us
