School students in Oregon will now be allowed to take “mental health days” after a new law expanded the reasons to be excused from school to include mental or behavioral health.
The measure was proposed by students, hoping to let kids know it's OK to admit they're struggling.
According to youth activists, they were partly motivated by the youth-led movement after the Parkland school shooting, proving young people can change the political conversation.
Mental health experts say it’s one of the first state laws instructing schools to treat mental health and physical health equally.
In Florida, all public schools in the state must now provide mental health education classes.
Students in sixth through 12 grades will be required to take five hours of mental health classes.
The new curriculum includes suicide prevention, cyberbullying and substance abuse, as well as where to turn for help.