Why you should listen
In 2019, Hailey Hardcastle and her team passed a law in Oregon that allows students to take a mental health day off from school, the same way one would a sick day. Now, she's working to expand the law to other states and bring more comprehensive mental health resources to classrooms.
Hardcastle got her start in student council as a statewide leader in Oregon. She now recruits other young leaders to create and lobby for policies regarding academics. Her mission: help students take control of their education and health by having a voice in the lawmaking process.
She currently studies at the University of Oregon and volunteers for the Oregon School Based Health Alliance as a policy advisor and board member. She hopes that her activism will inspire other young people to stand up and create change in meaningful ways.
