Students experience academic burnout at least once throughout their years of schooling. These are times when they feel mentally exhausted, yet still drag themselves out of bed in the morning. For these students, taking a day off for mental health is never an option. And, when they do take a break, their absence is not excused because, in the school’s point of view, “Tinatamad ka lang”. 

The schools also require a medical certificate to have the absence valid. But how would a student get this certificate when medical services aren’t accessible to them? Mental health is still taboo in the Philippines, making it difficult for students to seek professional help. Some schools also don’t offer mental health assistance for their students. More often than not, their school clinics only provide services for physical health.

Interestingly enough, most schools implemented mental health-related policies for their students to cope with the sudden changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This shows how schools can adopt policies centered on students’ mental wellness. But, as pandemic restrictions eased, these policies slowly disappeared—as if mental health issues can fade away along with the virus. 

Aside from raising awareness and reducing stigma about mental health, schools should be proactive in integrating services and implementing programs for it. They may collaborate with mental health organizations or professionals to provide on-campus or remote services for their students. They should also offer resources and support by establishing accessible and confidential channels for students to seek help.

Ultimately, schools should focus on fixing the problem of workload. Currently, students are expected to be present in their classes, attend extracurricular activities, and do assignments after school, on top of their home (and work) responsibilities. Schools should reevaluate the workload and expectations placed on students. They may also adopt more flexible attendance policies considering students’ mental health challenges.