5 Mental Health Days For Students?

More stories from Hailey Schoutteet

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May 12, 2023

Mental Health in school districts has risen since 2019. Doctor visits for mental health have increased by 24% for children ages 5-11 and 31% for ages 12-17. 

J.B Pritzker signed a bill into law saying that students will not be required to provide a doctor’s note for mental health days. Students will be allowed to make up any work that was missed on their day off as well. 

Tagging along with mental health last year we had Foster’s Voice come in and talk to all of us about his and his son, Foster Atwood’s story. Kevin Atwood is very excited about this legislation because his whole mission is to give mental health students more leniency on school days. Atwood also advocated for suicide awareness in many schools, including ours.