Taiwanese High Schools Introduce Mental Health Leave to Address Soaring Rate of Suicide Among Youths.

By Caroline Ameh

In response to alarming rates of youth suicide and mounting mental health concerns, Taiwanese high schools are launching a pioneering initiative to offer mental health leave to students starting this month.

Under this program, high school students can avail themselves of up to three days off each semester, with permission from their parents, without the need for proof of necessity. Over 40 schools have shown interest in participating in this trial run, as reported by the Ministry of Education.

The move comes amidst growing apprehension over mental health issues plaguing the youth in Taiwan. Despite an overall decline in suicide rates, statistics reveal that the suicide rate among individuals aged 15 to 24 more than doubled between 2014 and 2022.

Criticism has been leveled at Taiwanese authorities for their handling of the crisis, with advocates attributing extreme academic pressure as a major contributor to stress, anxiety, and depression among students.

In 2022, remarks made by a senior official at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, linking the surge in suicides to the construction of tall buildings, sparked outrage and were deemed dismissive of the real systemic issues, such as academic stress.

A survey conducted by the Child Welfare League Foundation in 2022 shed light on the severity of stress among students, with over 12% reporting severe levels of stress, particularly among senior high school students. The top stressors identified included schoolwork, future prospects, and interpersonal relationships.

While the introduction of mental health leave has been hailed as a positive step forward by experts like Hsiao Chih-hsien, a psychologist at the National Sun Yat-sen University counseling and health unit, concerns remain about societal stigma surrounding mental illness. Despite the potential benefits of the program in providing students with necessary rest and relief, there are fears that stigma may deter many from utilizing the leave.

This initiative mirrors existing programs in Taiwanese universities, where mental health leave has been available for several years. However, challenges persist, including instances where professors penalize students for taking leave days.

Government guidelines stress the importance of supporting students’ emotional well-being and ensuring access to counseling services alongside the leave days, emphasizing the need to combat stigma and promote a supportive environment for students seeking help.