Do not feel bad! I am a teacher and I try to be very understanding about mental health since I struggle too. Also, I had a friend with really bad depression in high school and nobody left her. I’m sure your friends would support you. If they don’t, then they might now be real friends

as someone who dealt with the same guilt i definitely understand. your mental health is the most important thing, and for me i felt i did better at school when i was in a better headspace. going to school riddled with worries always ended badly for me and sometimes i just needed to rest and focus on my mental health

This might sound cliche, but it’s true: if your friends would leave you because you needed to take time off for your mental health, are they really good friends? Although I think it’s 2022, people are much more understanding of mental health, especially those of us in younger generations, so I don’t think your friends would leave you for that. It is important to care for our mental health, and you do not need to feel guilty for doing so. Also you don’t owe anyone an explanation. I hope you take the time off and are able to recollect yourself in a healthy way 🙂