Question number 3 in case 25 is in regards to Luke and his "mental health" break from school and the advantages and disadvantages that this situation poses. I belive that there are several advantages and disadvantages to having Luke take this mental health time. It sounds like Luke is having a difficult time adjusting to school, so if just once, I think that his mental health day could give him time to think, re-group, and not think about school. Much like adults, even children need a small break from the day-to-day routine that school provides especially if it is not a routine that you enjoy as Luke has expressed his dislike for school to his mother. By taking a "mental health day" Luke can take a day away from this school routine and take a break from school all together. The break may even allow for him to appreciate school more when he goes back.
Although a mental health day can be beneficial and helpful Luke, there are also negative side effects that can come from this time off. First, Luke will be missing out on the academic benefits of school. It sounds like Luke is already struggling with some aspects of academics and missing out on class time can only hinder this even more as he will be getting behind in school which will only hold him back even further and may even increase his dislike for school. Second, Luke is missing out on the social aspect of school which is also a large part of learning and development. It sounds like his physical development is advanced for his age, but given the situation, I bet his social skills are lacking. Missing out on this social time with his peers is also setting him behind the others.
Overall, I think that if only once or twice, mental health days are acceptable and can be beneficial for Luke in his academics. However, more than just a few mental health days can only set Luke further behind academically, emotionally, and socially.
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I agree with you Betsy, that everyone does need a mental health day every now and then, and yes that does include kids. So it definitely could be an advantage for him to maybe take one “mental health day.” However, as you said he is missing out on the academic and social aspect of school. Both of these are so important for him! I also think that allowing Luke to just take off school whenever he is having a bad day could lead to a lot of trouble in his future. He would want to just run away from all his problems and might try to solve them by just taking a “mental health day.” Taking too many of these days as a child could lead to Luke having a lot of difficulty with future schooling as well as jobs and relationships with people in general.
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