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I lied last week.
I said my son was sick, to excuse him from school, but he wasn’t.
We took a mental health day together 💙
A day off from the pressures and schedule to recharge. You see, he had a week full of state testing last week, so it was the perfect time to rest his mind.
We went exploring on our bikes, saw lots of wildlife, had a rock skipping contest (he won, barely!), and had lunch together on a gorgeous day ☀️
My son didn’t miss any exams or big assignments. There was no impact on his schoolwork. We took some time to breathe. Time for mental recovery.
"Promise me you’ll always remember — you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
So, it wasn’t until later that I realized, maybe I didn’t have to lie…
The reason for absence was an open field on the school absence form. I could have written mental health day, but it didn’t even occur to me.
Honestly, I don’t know anyone else who lives near me who takes mental health days – for school or work. It doesn’t feel acceptable. I’m not even sure if it counts as an “excused” absence.
Now, I know to question if “feeling acceptable” is necessary. New ideas, new ways of doing things, often start off as “not being acceptable.” That’s often a sign of real innovation.
So… I finally took this cue. Once I realized this, I vowed not to hide caring for mental health. I sent an email to the school nurse and started the conversation about mental health days.
I believe caring for mental health is important, especially before it becomes a problem. Just like cleaning out a wound is important before it becomes infected. Mental health maintenance should be the norm too and not something to do in secret.
Mental health is health.
And a healthy Innovative Leader is an effective leader.
Stay healthy, my friends.
“Promise me you’ll always remember — you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
– Christopher Robin
from Winnie the Pooh
