I am a student from Centerville, IN, and like many of my peers, I have been feeling the weight of stress from school. Our school has attempted to address mental health issues by reusing videos from past years, but these efforts have proven ineffective. We need a more direct approach to support our mental wellbeing - we propose the implementation of regular mental health days every nine weeks.

The American Psychological Association reports that nearly half of all teens say they're stressed by school pressures. This stress can lead to serious mental health issues such as anxiety and depression (American Psychological Association). In addition, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in six U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.

By implementing regular mental health days every nine weeks, our school could provide students with much-needed breaks to rest and recharge mentally. These breaks could also serve as opportunities for students to seek help if they are struggling with their mental health.

We believe this change would greatly benefit not just us students but also our teachers and staff who work tirelessly for our education. It's time for us all to prioritize our collective wellbeing over academic pressure.

Please join us in urging our school administration to implement regular Mental Health Days every nine weeks for the betterment of student welfare. Sign this petition today!