A New York State Senator has introduced legislation in Albany that would allow students to take mental health days from school.
State Senator Brad Hoylman said it would allow students to relieve some of the pressure and stress they experience.
“We need to recognize suicide and self-harm among young New Yorkers as the major public health crisis that it is, demolish the stigma around mental health care, and do everything within our power to help kids who are struggling seek treatment,” Hoylman said in a statement.
He said in New York, nearly 4,500 children made a visit to emergency departments in 2016 because of self-harm. Across the country, the number of kids treated for suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts nearly doubled between 2007 and 2015.
“An absence from school should never be a barrier to mental health treatment for a child in New York State,” Hoylman said.
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