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Washington voiced concerns regarding the general mental health of students across Maryland.
He noted that 70% of teens sat anxiety and depression are major issues among peers and that about 1 in 6 Maryland students say they have seriously considered suicide.
A lot of these issues, Washington said, can be traced back to difficult pedagogical environments.
“We know the stress of school is a lot for high school students,” Washington said. Maryland mom Mandie Peters’ first-grader is energetic and loves school. But distance learning has had a devastating impact on the child’s mental health. “I’m not just overreacting on this stuff. This is something that’s real,” Peters said, beginning to cry. News4’s Eun Yang reports.
Maryland bill would give students mental health days off
By TOM HINDLE of Capital News ServiceJanuary 29, 2021 GMT
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) A bill in the Maryland state Legislature would grant school students excused absences for mental health reasons.
Under the proposed law, students would be allowed to skip school once every quarter without needing a doctor’s note.
Sponsored by Del. Alonzo Washington D-Prince George’s, the legislation aims to alleviate mental health problems exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Right now, we know mental health and mental illness is running rampant, especially among students,” Washington told Capital News Service.
Washington voiced concerns regarding the general mental health of students across Maryland.
Montgomery County school Superintendent Mark Miear presented the proposed budget last week, which includes an average 3.5% pay raise for teachers and other staff.