Why you should take a break: Prioritizing mental health in schools | Hailey Hardcastle | TEDxSalem

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Published 2020-02-01

While not everyone has a diagnosed mental illness, every person has their own mental health with unique needs and challenges. It is time that we extend the same empathy and aid to mental health as we do to physical health. One of the best ways to end the stigma surrounding mental health is by spreading the idea that it is always ok to take a break for your mental wellbeing, especially for teens and students. Hailey Hardcastle is a freshman at the University of Oregon and a student mental health advocate. This year she was named one of Teen Vogues 21 under 21 most influential young people for her work on passing House Bill 2191, which allows students to take mental health days off from school. Hardcastle works with other teens nationwide to promote student advocacy and come up with creative solutions to teenage mental challenges. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)

@kevman2296 4 years ago

She knows how to pause to emphasize. Very good speaker
@positivevibesonly4426 4 years ago

School environment and classroom structure is not for every kid.. especially if their home life and personal life is stressful..
@shreena96 4 years ago

I'd have to force myself to take a break but when I do, I feel so guilty since I need to tackle all the tasks I need to do and I don't have time to rest. Now I'm experiencing burnout and add anxiety and self doubt on top of that lol
@HitherMann 4 years ago

Avoiding burnout is the KEY to elevate your success not only in business but for every element in your life.
@RobertDeloyd 4 years ago

When I was in school back in the '60s we called it ditching and we would write our own parent excuse notes... This mental health days off is a better way and it doesn't make the child feel like a criminal... Wonderful presentation by this young woman :)
@jessicadunton115 4 years ago

It's so important and beautiful that her mom saw what she needed and took action
@SmileySophie 4 years ago

I’m so proud of Hailey Hardcastle, she is the voice for other students that has been muffled by the stigmas around mental health.
@SpiritDragon888 4 years ago

The World needs mental health days
@zmoo3788 4 years ago

School is a huge load for some kids. Whether kids are dealing with domestic abuse or there is a lot of pressure and stress to get good grades. Parents push for perfection or dont care at all Ive noticed, we need a medium
@gabbieg229 2 years ago

This made me cry…My mental health was not taken seriously in high school and my teachers thought I was only trying to ditch and they stopped giving counsel and would send me back to class whenever I needed a break and talk to someone. I ended up attempting suicide and would be in and out of hospitals. When I had to eventually go back to school my condition still wasn’t taken seriously, so I decided to use drugs as a coping mechanism and almost completely dropped out of high school. I graduated over a year late after my mom pulled me from that high school and got me in to an alternative school that had a compassionate staff and all they wanted was for their students to get better. A lot of people were in my boat and I felt supported in a way public school could never do for me… 6 years later I am now in my 3rd semester of college with a 4.0 gpa and my mental health is at the best it’s ever been. It takes compassionate and caring individuals to be good teachers. This young woman is doing amazing things for the educational community!
@brookemears914 3 years ago

Mental Health Class really should be taught in schools! It's needed for students! This would benefit everyone!
@queline6998 4 years ago

I used to keep my very artistic kids home quite a bit as school was simply lacking in most areas, especially in the arts. They needed it bigtime!
@PJTheSixFootSixDJ 4 years ago

Best Ted Talk I've seen in a long time.
@agent-eg8mb 4 years ago

I was diagnosed with PTSD and to be honest schools are not prepared for mental health issues at all. Being at school during my bad times multiplied the stress. Schools need to be more in touch with mental health in general because the young generations are having more suicides than ever before. Have a good day people and take care of yourselves, dont sacrifice your well being for anything✌
@leonieh8040 3 years ago

also, if needed, a mental health month or even year is absolutly okay too! You should learn to priotize mental health just like you do physical. Of course education is important but if you feel stuck or burned out, you need to act before it is too late to do so!
@TaleofNavillera 4 years ago

I appreciate how TEDx Talks provides an interpretation (Sign Language) for this presentation. 👏👍 And thank you, Hailey Hardcastle! You have reminded all of us how important this issue is to be discussed! 🤗❣️
@faithfulfilo7994 4 years ago

This is literally amazing. I've struggled with my own allotted amount of issues but I've grown increasingly worried about another young one in my life, my brother. Trying my best, as we all should do
@pennyg1195 4 years ago

Sad we don't have mental health days in Britain
@instavid3160 4 years ago

Breaks increase productivity and creativity. Working for long stretches without breaks leads to stress and exhaustion. Taking breaks refreshes the mind, replenishes your mental resources, and helps you become more creative.
@alexandrerebmann203 4 years ago

What an amazing project and person! Going through all that process until a LAW is accepted and written... that’s amazing! You got all my respect maam.