I used to be a really anxious kid. Not just the usual nerves before a test, but full-blown panic attacks by the time I hit 10th grade. It was rough, and it lingered for years.
Back in the early ’90s, mental health wasn’t a topic people talked about openly. If there had been more conversations about it, it might have made a difference. On the flip side, letting me take endless days off from school wouldn’t have helped, either.
Recently, a viral TikTok video sparked some interesting discussions. A teacher, posting as @_samanthajo, raised a question about the growing trend of mental health days. She wondered if we’ve gone too far, allowing kids to skip school for minor issues, which could prevent them from developing resilience and coping skills.
The comment section was lively. One viewer, who lives with anxiety, noted that letting students avoid tough situations could be damaging. Another person said that learning to push through challenges is essential. This got me thinking: avoidance can feel comforting in the moment, but it often makes things worse in the long run.
From my own experience, going to school helped me face my fears. It showed me I could take small steps forward, even when I felt unprepared. One commenter shared a similar sentiment, saying a consistent routine helped them recover from anxiety. They felt school kept them from isolating themselves too much.
Of course, not everyone agreed. Some argued that our education system needs to change to better support kids today. But many commenters found common ground: while occasional mental health days may be necessary, using them too often could indicate a bigger problem.
Teachers echoed this concern. Missing school often leads to more anxiety, especially if kids fall behind in their work. One teacher pointed out that it’s like a cycle: missing class leads to more anxiety, which leads to missing even more class.
In the discussion, many people shared experiences with anxiety or depression. They reflected on how being pushed to attend school helped them in adulthood. One person said they didn’t appreciate it at the time, but now they see the value. Another noted that if they’d skipped school whenever they wanted, they wouldn’t be able to hold a job today.
It’s important to recognize that mental illness is real. But we also need to differentiate between genuine crises and everyday feelings of sadness or stress. Sometimes, the best support can be encouraging a kid to show up for school, even if it feels tough.
Mental health days aren’t bad, but relying on them too heavily isn’t the solution. Sometimes, facing challenges—imperfectly and uncomfortably—can help build strength and resilience for the future.
If you’re interested in mental health in education, check out this report from the National Institute of Mental Health on youth mental health trends. It offers valuable context to this ongoing conversation.
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mental health, mental health day, anxiety disorder, teacher
