High school students in Ohio could potentially receive up to three mental health days per academic year as excused absences.
In the state of Ohio, there has been a concerning increase in visits to emergency rooms for children dealing with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. Over a ten-year period from 2009 to 2019, 40% more high school students reported feelings of sadness or hopelessness. To address this issue, Ohio state Senator Willis Blackshear Jr. has proposed a bill that would give students up to three excused mental health days per school year.
The bill, introduced for the third time in the Ohio legislature, aims to reduce the stigma around mental health and give students time to address their emotional and psychological well-being. Senator Blackshear, a democrat from Dayton, wants to give kids more breathing room and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
A 'mental health day' is defined as a school day during which a student attends to their emotional and psychological well-being instead of attending school. Unlike physical illnesses, a note from a medical professional would not be necessary for a mental health day. The legislation does not stipulate that schools must provide mental health services for children who take those excused days; seeking treatment is up to the discretion of their parents.
The idea of mental health days is still taboo and unexplored in many areas of life, including work. The World Health Organization found that stigma is present in diagnostics, laws, health information, and more, affecting treatment in some cases. Senator Blackshear's bill is a proactive measure to address mental health issues in students, to avoid issues such as poor test scores and negative attitudes.
Public debate includes support for mental health awareness and some concerns about learning disruptions. Senator Blackshear is actively refining details to increase its chances of passage this time, addressing concerns such as potential abuse of the policy and chronic absenteeism.
Mary-Faith Martinez, a writer with a bachelor's degree in English and Journalism, covers news, psychology, lifestyle, and human interest topics. This article is one of her contributions towards raising awareness about the importance of mental health and the steps being taken to address it.
As of early August 2025, the bill remains under consideration and has not yet become law.
[1] Blackshear, W. (2025). Ohio Senate Bill 123: Mental Health Days for K-12 Students. Ohio Legislature. [2] Martinez, M.-F. (2025). Ohio Senator Proposes Bill for Mental Health Days in Schools. The Dayton Gazette. [3] WHO. (2021). Mental Health: A Global Priority. World Health Organization. [4] American Psychological Association. (2021). Stigma and Mental Health. American Psychological Association. [5] National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2021). Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
- The bill proposed by Ohio Senator Willis Blackshear Jr. aims to reduce the stigma around mental health by providing students with up to three excused mental health days per school year, allowing them to address their emotional and psychological well-being without needing a medical professional's note.
- Mental health is a global priority, and according to the World Health Organization, stigma is present in various aspects of life, including diagnostics, laws, health information, and treatment.
- As the debate surrounding mental health days in schools continues, it's essential to discuss the importance of mental health, the steps being taken to address it, such as the bill from Senator Blackshear, and the role of organizations like the World Health Organization, American Psychological Association, and National Alliance on Mental Illness in ending the stigma associated with mental health.
