HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Teenagers from across Pennsylvania are calling for more mental health resources. The PA Teen Mental Health Coalition rallied in the State Capitol on Monday.

The PA Youth Advocacy Network wants more mental health and substance use education and community based organizations in schools. They’re also asking for a mental health youth council to give teens a voice in the legislative process. Teens are calling on lawmakers to give them a break and pass legislation to make mental health days count as excused absences from school.

“You kind of lose focus of what you’re supposed to be focusing on which is your school work and if you take that day off you can reorganize yourself,” says Karla Aguay of Wyomissing High School in Berks County.

The teens want their schools to follow up after those mental health days.

“When students return from having a mental day excused, their school is required to have them check in with their guidance counselors to make sure that their mental health is okay and that they’re doing better,” says Rehea Patel of Wyomissing High School.

Rep. Jessica Benham says there’s a shortage of mental health providers for all ages and more funding is needed to support mental health both in and out of the classroom.

“It’s important to me that young people have access to the kinds of mental support that they need, whether we’re talking about therapy, dogs or kitties, or we’re talking about the ability to just take a little time off when they need it,” says Rep. Benham.

Senate Bill 886 was introduced last session to make mental health days count as excused absences from school. It still has to be re-introduced this session.