Schools Are Allowing Mental Health Days for Students and This is How Kids Should Use Them

It is important, however, to not let kids use mental health days irresponsibly. “While we want to be responsive to our kids’ needs and signals, we also want to be sure that we aren’t inadvertently reinforcing escape,” explains Stephanie Lee, Psy.D., senior director of the ADHD and Behavior Disorders Center at the Child Mind Institute. “Parents should be conscious of big assignments or tests that may be approaching in their child’s schedule so that these stressors can be approached together and with support for the student.”