The purpose of mental health days (MHDs) is to allow students time away from academic and extracurricular responsibilities to focus on their social-emotional well-being. Students may utilize up to five (5) mental health days during the school year. If a student wishes to take a mental health day, they should speak with their parent/guardian and/or resident counselor and work with them to complete the Mental Health Day Form the day/evening prior to the mental health day. If a student is experiencing a crisis, they should contact the school counselor directly as soon as possible. If a student is experiencing a crisis outside of school hours, they should contact an RC as soon as possible. If a student requests to take two mental health days in one academic week, the student’s parents/guardians will be asked to pick up their student and work with a school counselor to develop additional support for the student.
Mental Health Day Schedule
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Students taking an MHD must be in the IRC or Mental Health Day Lounge (A108) by 9:00 a.m. Students will stay in the IRC/MHD Lounge until midday. A counselor will go up to the IRC/MHD Lounge to make sure all students are accounted for. If the student is not in the IRC/MHD Lounge by 9:00 a.m., their MHD will turn into an unexcused absence.
Midday (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Students are allowed to go to the cafeteria, old caf area, or back to their hall to eat.
Midday – 3:00 p.m. Students can spend time in The Hub or Pride Rock.
After 2:00 p.m. students can work out in the Fitness Center
3:00 p.m. Students may return to their halls
Students can return home for their MHD. Parents/Guardians must pick their student up by 9:00 a.m. on the day of their MHD. If the plan changes and the student does not go home, they must report to the IRC by 9:15 a.m. or their MHD will be changed to an unexcused absence. If a student chooses to go home for their MHD, they must sign out in their hall the night before, with security if they’re leaving campus before 7:00 a.m., or with the Attendance Office no later than 9:00 a.m.
Students are required to check in with a counselor on their MHD. Students will receive an email the morning of their MHD that will specify a time block for when they are to come in and speak to a counselor. Students are not able to participate in extracurricular activities, including clubs and athletics, during a mental health day. If students violate these MHD expectations, their excused absence for the day may be changed to an unexcused absence.
IMSA may temporarily suspend mental health days at certain points during the academic year, including following large campus events such as Clash of the Halls or during AP examinations. These decisions will be communicated to students, parents, and staff via email.
