Local lawmaker introduces bill allowing students to take mental health days

DAYTON — When it comes to mental health, one lawmaker thinks it’s time to be proactive rather than reactive.

At Oakwood’s Shafor Park Scott Carlton enjoyed the spring evening with his 13-year-old.

Sports is one of the outlets his son releases his emotions but could soon have a new option.

“I think they’ve gone through a lot since the pandemic ... I think people take more concern with mental health,” Carlton said.

One in six youth, ages 6 to 17, experience a mental health disorder and half of all mental health conditions begin by age 14, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

>> Senate panel reflects on lessons learned from Boston Marathon bombing 10 years later

House Bill 38 would give school districts the option to let their students take up to three mental health days each school year.

It would include students in kindergarten through 12th grade and they would be excused absences.

“Schools will set their parameters, they will make sure that students aren’t taking advantage of this just because they feel like they can. We have full trust and faith in our school districts,” Rep. Willis Blackshear (D-Dayton) said.

Blackshear is co-sponsoring the plan.

He said it will be up to school districts to decide how they would implement this.

>> City of Troy asks for hearing on historic building after owners seek more time to reach agreement

Districts can excuse students altogether or even create a mental health program kids can attend to instead of regular classes.

“We’ve heard from educators, we’ve heard from students, this is something that they are advocating for this is something that they’re saying is needed. And you know, it gives students a voice,” Blackshear said.

Victoria Barker is a school counselor in the Miami Valley,

“Instead of just kind of sweeping it under the rug, which I think a lot of older generations may have been used to told to ... but nowadays, we’re being told to really talk about it, process it,” Barker said.

If the bill becomes a law, districts can set aside days students can’t take off like during standardized testing.

The plan had its first committee hearing yesterday.

Blackshear wants to have more hearing so he can hear what Ohioans think.

©2023 Cox Media Group