With such a sensitive climate, Oregon has decided to take stand for its citizens.
A recent bill has passed that's putting the needs of students' health first. Teens will now, be able to take "mental health days" off from school as they would "sick days." This is a great win for a state with the highest recorded suicide rate in the US, according to the New York Post.
Student leaders who played a major role in pushing this idea to Oregon Governor Kate Brown, revealed Florida's Parkland shooting was a huge motivation to seek lawful help. Haily Hardcastle from Portland was one who told TODAY.
“We were inspired by Parkland in the sense that it showed us that young people can totally change the political conversation. Just like those movements, this bill is something completely coming from the youth.”
She also admitted her personal worry for friends she's witnessed struggle with depression and went to school anyway when it "would have been much better for them to take a day off.”
Senior Derek Evans interjected, "It's our duty to help."
"Our biggest goal is just making sure that everyone knows that mental health is just as valid as physical health."
Executive Director of Mental Health America Debbie Plotnik told NBC News :
"The first step to confront this crisis is to reduce the stigma around it. We need to say it's just as OK to take care for mental health reasons as it is to care for a broken bone or a physical illness."
The excused days off will take into effect this fall.
Photo: Jessica Adamson/AP