School can be demanding and extremely stressful especially for college students. With worry of the financial costs and debts we students rack up, we tend to need more than just the scheduled breaks to recover our mental well-being. Many other Universities surrounding the Birmingham area have a designated Fall break. However, at UAB, we do not. To many it may seem to be such a minuscule unimportant task, but bringing a Fall break to the students of UAB can diminish the chance of student burnout and declination of mental health.

The American Psychological Association reports that nearly half of all teens (45%) feel stressed by school pressures. A separate study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that students who had more frequent high-quality respite from school reported lower levels of psychological distress.

By dividing our Fall/Thanksgiving break into two separate breaks, we could provide students with an additional opportunity to rest and recharge during one of the busiest times of the academic year. This change would not only benefit those struggling with mental health issues but also enhance overall student performance by reducing burnout.

Please join me in advocating for this important change to support student mental health and well-being. Sign this petition today!