Mental health days can be helpful for kids who are feeling especially overwhelmed, but Cleveland Clinic experts say parents should pay attention to how often they’re happening.
Dr. Emily Mudd, a psychologist with Cleveland Clinic Children’s, says an occasional day away from school may help a child rest and recharge, especially when they’re dealing with stress from school or problems at home.
But she says the day shouldn’t just be spent scrolling on social media or watching TV. Instead, parents should spend time talking with their child and doing something that helps them feel better and reconnect.
There is also an important distinction for children struggling with significant anxiety or school avoidance. Mudd says repeatedly staying home can sometimes make that anxiety worse.
If a child frequently asks to miss school or begins making excuses not to go, she recommends having a deeper conversation and considering help from a mental health professional.
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