Under the first law of its kind in the United States, Oregon students will be allowed to take mental health or behavioral health days as an excused school absence. The bill, signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown last month, is meant to help change the stigma surrounding mental health, in part due to skyrocketing suicide rates.
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As one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S., depression affects more than 16 million Americans and is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. Between 1999 and 2016, suicide increased by 28% across most American demographics, with some states seeing an increase of more than 30%. Oregon has one of the highest suicide rates in America — it’s the state’s second leading cause of death among those ages 10 to 34. According to the state health authority, nearly 17% of eighth-graders reported contemplating taking their lives over the past year.
Oregon students who helped lobby for the bill said they were motivated in part by the youth-led movement following the school shooting last year in Parkland, Florida, and stood behind the bill to encourage young adults to admit when they’re struggling.
In most states, schools only excuse absences related to physical illness, and absences that aren’t excused may result in detention and inability to make up tests that were missed. Opponents of the law say the new policy will encourage students to miss more school, but those for it say it will allow a more open dialogue between students, parents and teachers and allow students to get help when they are struggling.
While some are better at keeping their depression and any thoughts of suicide well hidden, even from the ones they love, it's important for everyone to recognize the warning signs and know what they can do to help. According to the CDC, the 12 warning signs that someone may be contemplating or getting close to suicide are:
• Feeling like a burden
•Being isolated
• Increased Anxiety
• Feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Increased substance abuse
• Looking for a way to access lethal means
• Increased anger or rage
• Extreme mood swings
• Expressing hopelessness
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Talking or posting about wanting to die
• Making plans for suicide