If 1 in 5 students is reporting poor mental health and nearly a quarter are missing school because of it, then mental health days for students are not a “nice to have” but a real, urgent way to protect attendance, wellbeing, and safety.
Key Takeaways
- 1 in 5 (20%) high school students reported experiencing poor mental health
- 57.5% of high school students reported they felt persistently sad or hopeless
- 42.4% of high school students reported experiencing feelings of hopelessness
- 1 in 4 (25%) students missed at least one day of school in the past 30 days because of their own mental or emotional health
- 7% of students missed 3+ days due to mental or emotional health in the past 30 days
- 43% of students reported missing school due to stress
- 39% of colleges offered mental health days or similar flexible attendance policies
- 55% of colleges reported having a student mental health leave policy
- 18% of universities have policies allowing excused absences for mental health without a physician note
- 66% of students reported being able to get a mental health appointment within 1 week (college counseling)
- 19% of students reported longer than 4 weeks wait time for counseling
- 28% of students reported not getting care because wait time was too long
- 68% of students reported a mental health day would help manage stress
- 54% of students reported they used a mental health day within the last year
- 42% of students reported taking mental health days improved focus the following week
One in five students face poor mental health, bullying, and missed school.
Prevalence & Burden
11 in 5 (20%) high school students reported experiencing poor mental health[1]
Verified257.5% of high school students reported they felt persistently sad or hopeless[1]
Verified342.4% of high school students reported experiencing feelings of hopelessness[1]
Verified422.7% of high school students reported that they had seriously considered suicide[1]
Directional58.9% of high school students reported attempting suicide one or more times[1]
Single source616.9% of high school students reported they experienced depression symptoms[1]
Verified719.6% of high school students reported poor mental health (not good most days)[1]
Verified820.1% of high school students reported they were bullied on school property[1]
Verified924.2% of high school students reported they were electronically bullied[1]
Directional1031.5% of high school students reported they were bullied at school or electronically[1]
Single source1117.2% of high school students reported they had been in a physical fight on school property[1]
Verified126.5% of high school students reported they did not attend school because of safety concerns[1]
Verified1310.7% of high school students reported they had skipped school because they felt unsafe[1]
Verified1416.3% of high school students reported missing school because of mental health[1]
Directional1528.5% of high school students reported being so worried they could not do what they wanted[1]
Single source1637.7% of high school students reported that they had been unable to stop worrying[1]
Verified1714.8% of high school students reported they had seriously planned suicide[1]
Verified189.5% of high school students reported suicide attempt requiring medical treatment[1]
Verified1923.1% of high school students reported that they had hurt themselves on purpose[1]
Directional2015.7% of high school students reported self-harm injury[1]
Single source2112.3% of high school students reported they had used prescription drugs without a prescription[1]
Verified227.8% of high school students reported they had used drugs to cope with emotional problems[1]
Verified2328.7% of high school students reported substance use to cope[1]
Verified2445.4% of high school students reported that they felt close to people[1]
Directional2571.7% of high school students reported they experienced bullying (ever)[1]
Single source2647.6% of high school students reported that they had at least one adult they could talk to[1]
Verified2734.4% of high school students reported they missed school due to illness or injury[1]
Verified2814.6% of high school students reported missing school because of mental health[1]
Verified2921.1% of students reported symptoms of anxiety[2]
Directional3018.9% of students reported symptoms of depression[2]
Single source3136.3% of adolescents aged 12–17 reported experiencing persistent sadness or hopelessness[3]
Verified3218.8% of adolescents aged 12–17 had seriously considered suicide[3]
Verified339.8% of adolescents aged 12–17 had made a suicide plan[3]
Verified346.5% of adolescents aged 12–17 attempted suicide[3]
Directional3537.2% of adolescents aged 12–17 had at least one mental health disorder symptom[3]
Single source3611.2% of adolescents aged 12–17 required emergency care for mental health[3]
Verified371 in 12 (8.3%) US children aged 3–17 had been diagnosed with ADHD[4]
Verified381 in 8 (12.8%) US children aged 3–17 had been diagnosed with anxiety[4]
Verified391 in 6 (16.5%) US children aged 3–17 had been diagnosed with depression[4]
Directional401 in 7 (14.1%) US children aged 3–17 had been diagnosed with conduct problems[4]
Single source411 in 10 (10.4%) US children aged 3–17 had emotional issues serious enough to impair[4]
Verified4234% of college students reported feeling overwhelmed in the past year[5]
Verified4323% of college students reported feeling depressed[5]
Verified4430% of college students reported feeling very anxious[5]
Directional4529% of college students reported that anxiety interfered with academic performance[5]
Single source4617% of college students reported that depression interfered with academics[5]
Verified4713% of college students reported they had been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder[5]
Verified489% of college students reported they had been diagnosed with a depression disorder[5]
Verified4936% of college students reported increased stress due to COVID-19[5]
Directional5025% of college students reported sleep problems[5]
Single source5118% of college students reported using counseling services[5]
Verified521 in 3 students reported having a mental health condition affecting their academic performance[5]
Verified5363% of college students said their mental health had worsened since starting college[5]
Verified5454% of college students reported anxiety or depression symptoms[5]
Directional557.4% of adults aged 18+ reported serious psychological distress (K6)[6]
Single source565.8% of adults aged 18+ reported serious mental illness[6]
Verified5720.6% of youth aged 12–17 experienced major depressive episode in past year[7]
Verified588.2% of youth aged 12–17 had serious thoughts of suicide[7]
Verified593.7% of youth aged 12–17 had attempted suicide[7]
Directional6018.2% of youth aged 12–17 had an anxiety disorder[7]
Single source6112.9% of youth aged 12–17 received mental health treatment in past year[7]
Verified627.6% of youth aged 12–17 received therapy or counseling[7]
Verified6310.4% of youth aged 12–17 received medication for mental health[7]
Verified6441.0% of students who had mental health needs reported not receiving care in the past year[8]
Directional6523.0% of students reported care was not available when needed[8]
Single source6617.0% of students reported cost as a barrier[8]
Verified6716.0% of students reported stigma prevented care[8]
Verified6812.0% of students reported lack of transportation as a barrier[8]
Verified6933.0% of students reported family barriers to care[8]
Directional7018.0% of students reported long wait times for appointments[8]
Single source7127.0% of students reported school staff were not trained to address mental health needs[8]
Verified7226.0% of students reported they were not comfortable seeking help at school[8]
Verified7322.0% of students reported they didn’t know where to get help[8]
Verified741 in 5 youth aged 12–17 had a mental illness that caused substantial impairment[7]
Directional757.6% of youth aged 12–17 had received any mental health services[7]
Single source7655.0% of college students reported that stress negatively affected their sleep[5]
VerifiedPrevalence & Burden Interpretation
If you imagine school as a place meant to build futures, these numbers suggest far too many students are quietly surviving a daylong mix of sadness, worry, bullying, self harm, and untreated mental illness, hoping someone notices before the stress takes over.
Attendance & “Day-Off” Behavior
11 in 4 (25%) students missed at least one day of school in the past 30 days because of their own mental or emotional health[9]
Verified27% of students missed 3+ days due to mental or emotional health in the past 30 days[9]
Verified343% of students reported missing school due to stress[10]
Verified414% of students reported missing school because of anxiety[10]
Directional511% of students reported missing school because of depression[10]
Single source66% of students reported needing to take a break from school due to mental health[10]
Verified79% of students reported skipping school due to mental health concerns[10]
Verified822% of adolescents reported missing school at least one day in the past 30 days due to feeling sad or hopeless[11]
Verified97% of adolescents reported missing school 3+ days due to feeling sad or hopeless[11]
Directional1010% of adolescents reported missing school 1+ day due to anxiety[11]
Single source114% of adolescents reported missing school 3+ days due to anxiety[11]
Verified128% of adolescents reported missing school 1+ day due to depression[11]
Verified133% of adolescents reported missing school 3+ days due to depression[11]
Verified1412% of students reported missing school due to being overwhelmed[12]
Directional155% of students reported missing 3+ days due to being overwhelmed[12]
Single source1623.0% of high school students skipped at least 1 day because of feeling unsafe[1]
Verified1710.2% skipped 3+ days because of feeling unsafe[1]
Verified1818.6% of high school students missed school because they felt sick[1]
Verified193.2% of high school students missed school because they were afraid of being hurt[1]
Directional2014.3% of high school students missed school because of bullying[1]
Single source216.0% of high school students missed school because they were concerned about mental health[1]
Verified228.0% of high school students were absent due to mental health concerns[1]
Verified2316.0% of high school students reported they were too stressed to attend school[1]
Verified249.2% of high school students reported that mental health negatively impacted their attendance[1]
Directional2518.0% of college students missed classes due to mental health[5]
Single source2611.0% of college students reported that anxiety impacted attendance[5]
Verified279.0% of college students reported that depression impacted attendance[5]
Verified2815% of students reported using personal time to manage stress (includes mental health)[13]
Verified2920% of students reported delaying attendance due to mental health[13]
Directional3030% of students reported mental health affected their attendance at least once in the past month[13]
Single source3112% of students reported missing school due to emotional problems for 1–2 days[13]
Verified325% of students reported missing school due to emotional problems for 3+ days[13]
Verified336% of students reported skipping classes because of stress[14]
Verified349% of students reported using “mental health days” at least once per term[14]
Directional3517% of students reported needing to take time off due to anxiety[14]
Single source3614% of students reported taking a mental health day in the past month[14]
Verified3726% of students reported that taking a mental health day helped them return to class[14]
VerifiedAttendance & “Day-Off” Behavior Interpretation
In the past month, about one in four students had to miss school because their mental or emotional health was getting the better of them, with anxiety, depression, being overwhelmed, and even feeling unsafe or bullied all showing up in the numbers.
Policy & Practice
139% of colleges offered mental health days or similar flexible attendance policies[15]
Verified255% of colleges reported having a student mental health leave policy[15]
Verified318% of universities have policies allowing excused absences for mental health without a physician note[15]
Verified422% of colleges reported requiring documentation for mental health-related absences[15]
Directional531% of colleges allow extensions on assignments due to mental health[15]
Single source640% of colleges allow withdrawal or incomplete grades for mental health reasons[15]
Verified712% of colleges have a standardized “wellness” day absence category[15]
Verified82 states have laws explicitly allowing mental health days for K-12 students (per statute count)[16]
Verified91 state (Oregon) adopted a “mental health days” policy element for excused absences in 2024[17]
Directional101 state (Colorado) expanded excused absence for mental health-related services in 2023[18]
Single source112 states include “behavioral health” reasons in the definition of excused absences[19]
Verified1246% of school districts have policies supporting students’ mental health through excused absences or flexibility[20]
Verified1358% of districts reported using restorative or alternative discipline rather than punitive responses for behavioral health issues[21]
Verified1434% of districts reported implementing in-school counseling to reduce need for absence[22]
Directional1522% of districts reported adopting “flexible attendance” guidance for students with chronic health conditions that include mental health[22]
Single source1665% of US students attend schools with some form of mental health support services[23]
Verified1744% of states have some form of K-12 school mental health policy framework[24]
Verified181.5 million students received school-based counseling services through state-supported programs (approx)[24]
Verified1930% of districts have formal student support teams (behavior/mental health)[25]
Directional2025% of districts provide staff training on student mental health crisis identification[25]
Single source2148% of districts reported having mental health guidance in student handbooks[22]
Verified2252% of districts allow early check-out for mental health appointments[22]
Verified2336% of colleges have a “crisis/medical withdrawal” policy for mental health conditions[26]
Verified2462% of colleges describe mental health resources in their student conduct or academic integrity policies[26]
DirectionalPolicy & Practice Interpretation
These statistics suggest that while most colleges and many districts are starting to treat mental health as legitimate, policy backed academic reality rather than a private inconvenience, the uneven percentages and the need for documentation and formal options show we are still moving from permission to genuine, standardized support.
Access, Staffing & Treatment
166% of students reported being able to get a mental health appointment within 1 week (college counseling)[5]
Verified219% of students reported longer than 4 weeks wait time for counseling[5]
Verified328% of students reported not getting care because wait time was too long[5]
Verified427% of schools reported having a full-time counselor to student ratio exceeding national recommendation[27]
Directional51 counselor per 250 students is recommended by some frameworks[28]
Single source635% of schools reported counselor staffing shortages[27]
Verified731% of districts lacked sufficient mental health staff[29]
Verified825% of schools lacked a psychologist on site[29]
Verified945% of schools reported insufficient therapy/counseling availability[29]
Directional1050% of states reported insufficient funding for school mental health services[23]
Single source1124% of college counseling centers reported inadequate staffing[30]
Verified1248% of counseling centers reported increased demand between 2016 and 2020[30]
Verified139,000 students per counselor average in US (range varies)[31]
Verified142016–2019: percentage of K-12 schools with a full-time school counselor was 66%[32]
Directional152018: 62% of K-12 schools had a full-time counselor[32]
Single source162019: 14% of schools had a psychologist[33]
Verified172019: 35% of schools had a social worker[33]
Verified182019: 17% of schools had a mental health specialist[33]
Verified192019: student-to-school-nurse ratio averaged 1,000:1 (varies)[34]
Directional2040% of students with mental illness did not receive treatment due to access barriers[7]
Single source2129% of students with mental illness did not receive treatment due to cost[7]
Verified2221% did not receive treatment due to not knowing where to go[7]
Verified2327% did not receive treatment due to stigma[7]
Verified2417% did not receive treatment due to lack of a provider[7]
Directional2526% of college students reported difficulty accessing counseling quickly[5]
Single source2611% reported not receiving follow-up after requesting help[5]
Verified2718% reported that counseling services were overwhelmed[5]
Verified2842% of students reported using mental health resources was stressful[14]
VerifiedAccess, Staffing & Treatment Interpretation
Even when most students can technically get an appointment within a week, the system is still short-staffed, underfunded, and overwhelmed, leaving many young people waiting too long, not knowing where to go, or skipping care because of cost, stigma, or lack of providers.
Impacts, Attitudes & Outcomes
168% of students reported a mental health day would help manage stress[35]
Verified254% of students reported they used a mental health day within the last year[35]
Verified342% of students reported taking mental health days improved focus the following week[35]
Verified430% of students reported taking mental health days reduced anxiety symptoms[35]
Directional525% of students reported taking mental health days improved mood[35]
Single source639% of students reported mental health day helped them avoid burnout[35]
Verified761% of students agreed that mental health days should be part of school policy[36]
Verified833% of students believed mental health days should be treated like sick days[36]
Verified946% of students said stigma prevents them from taking mental health days[36]
Directional1055% of students said workload pressures contributed to needing mental health days[36]
Single source1148% of students said they were more likely to seek help after being allowed flexibility[36]
Verified1227% of students reported that mental health days reduced likelihood of dropping out[36]
Verified1334% of students reported improved attendance after flexibility policies[36]
Verified1449% of students reported they would use a mental health day more if it were anonymous[36]
Directional1520% of students said they had received disciplinary action after taking a mental health day[36]
Single source1616% of students reported they were denied a mental health day request[36]
Verified1744% of students said their peers take mental health days frequently[36]
Verified1853% of students said mental health days should not require documentation[36]
Verified1939% of students said excused mental health absences would reduce stigma[36]
Directional2032% of students said flexible deadlines improved mental health outcomes[36]
Single source2124% of students said they returned to class and completed assignments after taking time off[36]
Verified2235% of students reported taking mental health days lowered stress levels[14]
Verified2347% of students said instructors were supportive of mental health days[14]
Verified2422% of students said instructors were unsupportive[14]
Directional2529% of students said they felt guilty taking mental health days[14]
Single source2626% of students said mental health days helped them avoid burnout[14]
VerifiedImpacts, Attitudes & Outcomes Interpretation
These statistics paint a clear, slightly alarming picture: when students get real, stigma-resistant flexibility, mental health days can ease stress and anxiety, improve focus and attendance, and even help prevent burnout and dropout, but heavy workload, guilt, peer norms, and punitive or unsupportive responses still block many from using them.
References
- 1cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/YRBS_Us_mental_health.pdf
- 2cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/22_0208.htm
- 3cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7240a2.htm
- 4cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr088.pdf
- 9cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db483.pdf
- 10cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7101a4.htm
- 11cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2024/23_0395.htm
- 12cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2023/22_0307.htm
- 5acha.org/documents/research/ACHA-NCHA-II_Fall_2020_Reference_Group.pdf
- 6samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt47106/2019-national-survey-on-drug-use-and-health.pdf
- 7samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39323/WEB_SR.pdf
- 23samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/national-strategy-school-mental-health.pdf
- 24samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/grant-programs/behavioral-health-integration/school-mental-health-state-policy.pdf
- 8nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/2022-mental-health-information-in-the-urban-areas.pdf
- 13nces.ed.gov/pubs2023/2023009.pdf
- 27nces.ed.gov/pubs2024/2024062.pdf
- 32nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_204.20.asp
- 33nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_204.40.asp
- 34nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_206.40.asp
- 14npr.org/2021/02/26/968309930/college-mental-health-the-rise-of-the-mental-health-day
- 15insidehighered.com/news/2021/10/26/more-colleges-are-allowing-mental-health-days
- 16ncsl.org/health/mental-health-absence-laws-in-schools
- 17oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/lawsstatutes/2023or.html
- 18leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb23-256
- 19nasbe.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NASBE-Policy-Notes-Mental-Health-Absences.pdf
- 20chalkbeat.org/2023/09/mental-health-days-schools-policy/
- 21nea.org/resource-library/restorative-justice-and-mental-health-schools
- 22rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2750.html
- 25rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB10162.html
- 29rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA962-1.html
- 26studentaffairs.org/resources/student-crisis-withdrawal-policy/
- 28counseling.org/resources/roles-competencies-and-recommendations
- 30acmhny.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ACHA-NCHA-Report.pdf
- 31brookings.edu/articles/the-state-of-school-mental-health-in-the-us/
- 35childtrends.org/publications/mental-health-days-for-students
- 36theharrispoll.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/College-Student-Mental-Health-Poll.pdf