In recent years, lot's of companies have made it a mission to establish healthy environments and making mental health a priority in the workplace. It seems this trend is making it's way to schools now too...well, in Oregon anyways. According to CNBC.com, A new Oregon law allows students there to take “mental health days” off from school, just as they would sick days. Under the state’s new law, students can have up to five excused absences in a three-month period, which can now be either a sick day or a mental health day. However, anything beyond that will require a written excuse from a doctor or professional.
The bill was signed into law by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in June as Oregon looks to combat high suicide rates among teens. It is one of the first state laws to explicitly instruct all schools to treat mental health and physical health equally — Utah was the first to pass a similar law last year.
Debbie Plotnik, executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group Mental Health America told AP that the law is an important step in challenging the way society approaches mental health issues.
What do you think of this? Do you think students deserve to take mental health days like some companies do? Should Minnesota establish something similar?