Aussie High Schoolers Want Two Days Off a Term to Deal With Stress

51 per cent of students say they're are not okay.

Students in Victoria have called on the Education Department to consider giving students two mental health days every term to cope with stress.

The proposition comes after the Commission for Children and Young People released its report into how students have coped with the events over the last 18 months.

For those playing at home, in the last year-and-a-half we’ve had an ongoing global pandemic, protests and rioting, natural disasters like the NSW fires, lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, and worldwide political instability just to name a few.

Unsurprisingly, the Commission’s report outlined that because of this melting pot of issues, anxiety driven by a lack of social interaction has spiked.

The document specifically dives into how extended lockdowns in Victoria have exacerbated mental health issues for students in the state, with 51 per cent of students feeling ‘bad or terrible’.

In response to the report, the Victorian Student Representative Council (VicSRC) have called on schools to implement a sick day policy to give students some respite.

Year 12 student Joe Fraser said that students need to have this option to help cope with the instability of COVID learning.

“I think the ‘no questions asked’ mental health days are really crucial,” he told the Herald Sun.

“It should really be up to students to decided if they’re going to be ok going to school and taking the days off will boost their motivation in the long run.”

“What I’ve heard from students from different schools is that the problem lies with their schools trying to mandate after school classes or revision classes on the school holidays.”

School holidays need to remain a rest break because it really does make those students burnout because they’re not having time away from school.”

In a response to the VicSRC’s suggestion, a spokesperson for the Department of Education left the door open for mental health days becoming a possibility.

“We know how challenging the pandemic has been for Victorian students, especially those in their final years of school—and we’re working closely with VicSRC to make sure all students have the support they need to succeed despite disruptions to the school calendar.”

It might not be a definitive answer, but it’s a start in the right direction.

Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts, sexual assault or domestic and family violence? Seeking to support someone who is? Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

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Header Image: @christnerfurt via Unsplash