Taiwanese High Schools Offers Mental Health Leave for Students as Youth Suicide Doubles

Author: Pradhnya Anindya Dewanti
March 7, 2024

School in Taichung (Taichung City Government)

SEAToday.com, Taipei - High schools in Taiwan begin offering mental health leave to students starting March 2024. The move is an attempt to address the rising youth suicides and high level of stress and depression.

Under the program, students can apply up to three days leave per semester, taken as full or half days, without proof of need but still with the parents’ permission. The Education Ministry said that more than 40 schools had expressed interest in the trial run.

The program is a response to the rising concerns over Taiwanese youth mental health issues. During 2014-2022, suicide rate among people aged 15-24 more than doubled, even as the overall rate declined. In 2022, a survey found that almost 1/4 high-school students experienced severe depression, with the top three stress drivers being schoolwork, future prospects, and interpersonal relationships.