School Absenteeism and Mental Health

School absenteeism is a common issue that affects many students around the world. Whether it’s due to illness, family emergencies, or other personal reasons, students missing school can have a significant impact on their success and overall well-being. In recent years, research has shown that school absenteeism is often linked to mental health issues, highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to supporting students.

School is such a critical and central part of modern day living. It is an institution to deliver curriculum to students while at the same time allowing parents time to work. School has also played the role of developing skills and training for youth to continue on to further education or careers.

But the uniformity of the curriculum and the stress of performing has come at a cost. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions can cause students to feel overwhelmed and unmotivated, leading to increased absenteeism. Additionally, some students may feel stigmatized or ashamed of their mental health struggles, which can further compound the issue.

The effects of school absenteeism on mental health are also significant. Students who miss school frequently may experience feelings of isolation and disconnection from their peers and teachers, which can worsen their mental health. This can create a negative cycle where absenteeism leads to poor mental health, which then leads to further absenteeism.

An example of this issue was a study of the Greater Toronto schools that was highlighted by Karen Black in an article entitled Could your teen refusing to go to school be a sign of mental health disability? published in the Toronto Star on 21 February 2023. The study states that there was a 600% increase in school absenteeism in 2021 where students were absent for 50% or more of their classes.

There are hints in the article that the problem might be in the system of schooling, not with the students. The article mentions when a student is chronically absent, a plan is developed to best support the learner:

The plan might involve finding an alternative space in the school or community where the student can work rather than in the classroom, connecting with a school social worker or even having a delayed start time.

Many questions about schooling have been raised for decades and include issues like rigid schedules, stressful exams, prescribed curriculum, age based groupings, and a host of others. An increase in school absenteeism and a connection to mental health should not be too surprising. Given the number of students electing not to attend school, it appears to be more and more obvious that there needs to be an alternative to school for a greater and greater number of students.

One such alternative is the one taken by the Passages Centre. Passages takes a holistic and self-directed approach to learning that prioritizes mental health and well-being. In the end, we believe, this supportive environment is key to learner success at the Centre and beyond.