The need for mental health support in schools
According to the Return to Learn Tracker, which provides national data on chronic absenteeism, between 2018-2019 and 2021-2022, the percentage of K-12 students who are chronically absent nearly doubled, from 15% to 28%. There was a sudden increase in The same data revealed a slight decline in infection rates from 2022 and 2023, but the numbers remain well above pre-pandemic levels.
Chronic absenteeism is too multifaceted to be solved with a single approach, given the wide range of underlying factors, including bullying and housing insecurity. However, comprehensive school-based mental health support for students is a promising avenue. Learn more about chronic absenteeism, the role of mental health services in reducing it, and steps schools can take to expand students’ access to mental health care.
Understanding chronic absenteeism
Chronic absence is when a student misses 10% or more of the school year, whether excused or not. For example, if a student is absent 18 days out of a 180-day school year, that student is considered chronically absent.
To reduce chronic absenteeism, we need to understand why it occurs. Reasons for student absences typically fall into four categories:
Barriers to attendance (e.g., lack of transportation) Aversion to school (e.g., feeling anxious about going to school) Distance from school (e.g., feeling that instruction is not interesting) Effects of absence Misconceptions (e.g., thinking that absenteeism is not a problem as long as you go to school and continue your studies)
Chronic absenteeism can have a cascading effect on a student’s development and overall life chances, so it’s important to address these root causes. For example, the U.S. Department of Education found that:
Children who are chronically absent in daycare, kindergarten, and first grade are much less likely to be reading at grade level by third grade. Students who cannot read at grade level by third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school. Looking at each high school, regular attendance is a better indicator of dropout than test scores. Students who are chronically absent in any grade from 8th to 12th grade are seven times more likely to drop out.
Research shows that high school dropouts are up to four times more likely to experience negative outcomes such as arrest, dismissal, and poor health.
The relationship between mental health and chronic absenteeism
Students who experience depression, anxiety, and other signs of mental illness are more likely to be chronically absent. Mental health issues can make you feel unable or unmotivated to attend school.
The 2023 student survey conducted by EdWeek Research Center backs this up. According to the survey results, the top reason for high school students to miss school was anxiety, in addition to feeling unwell and bad weather.
A 2024 University of Southern California study on children’s mental health also found that students who were chronically absent had abnormal scores on emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and peer problems compared to students who were rarely absent. They found that patients were 2 to 6 times more likely to show symptoms.
Therefore, it is imperative that schools address students’ mental health issues. This helps students feel safe, seen, and supported, promoting better attendance and overall well-being. Administrators can start by expanding access to school-based mental health services, from school-wide prevention programs to more in-depth individualized support.
The role of school-based mental health services in reducing chronic absenteeism
Based on the definition provided by the National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH), school-based mental health refers to interventions aimed at improving the social, emotional, and behavioral health of students. Some examples of school-based mental health services include:
Individual-based interventions Case management External referrals Group-based interventions Needs assessment Family-based interventions Outreach Telehealth delivery
A 2022 study evaluating the effectiveness of school-based universal mental health programs in European countries found that such services improve students’ social and emotional competencies and prosocial behaviors. and reduce mental health problems. It also reduces absenteeism, according to Dr. Devika Bhushan, chief medical officer at Daybreak Health. “A service like this is going to not only improve attendance, but actually make a huge difference in the health and education outcomes that really matter,” Bhushan explained in a 2024 webinar.
Bhushan cited the example of Daybreak Health, where the digital mental health company partnered with Simi Valley Unified School District to provide individualized, school-based mental health support to students. This partnership increased student attendance by 3% and reduced disciplinary violations and suspensions by 50%.
Taken together, these findings demonstrate that school-based mental health services play an important role in improving attendance and improving student outcomes. However, school leaders rightly need to expand student access to these services, and doing so effectively requires a strategic approach. The next section considers what this approach would look like.
5 ways schools can expand access to mental health services for students
Schools can take the following steps to ensure students receive the mental health support they need:
1) Addressing barriers to providing quality mental health care
Understanding the barriers to providing appropriate and effective mental health services in schools can help administrators pinpoint ways to overcome these challenges. 2022 data from the National Center for Education Statistics provides insight into potential barriers. Data shows that 87% of public schools report three primary limitations that prevent them from effectively providing mental health services to students in need.
Insufficient number of mental health professionals Insufficient access to qualified mental health professionals Insufficient funding
Once barriers are identified, managers can develop a plan to address them. For example, if your school doesn’t have enough mental health professionals, you might develop a plan that begins by determining the number of qualified professionals needed based on the number of students seeking support.
2) Take advantage of funding opportunities
Adequate funding is needed to provide students with effective and comprehensive mental health services. Fortunately, schools have several funding options, including:
Federal funding State and local funding Grants Public-private partnerships Innovative funding models Education-related mental health grants
The bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), signed into law by President Joe Biden, has received particular attention because it includes several grant programs specifically designed to improve access to school-based mental health services. These include:
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education)
It focuses on promoting student awareness of mental health issues, expanding access to school- and community-based mental health services, and training staff to address mental health needs. School-based mental health services (SBMH)
Focuses on increasing the number of qualified mental health professionals to provide school-based services in school districts where there is a demonstrated need. Medicaid Billing Improvement Grant
Focus on improving the accessibility of school-based services by facilitating Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) billing.
Schools should stay on top of these and other funding opportunities by strictly adhering to grant announcements, deadlines, and application requirements.
3) Partner with community organizations and agencies
Community partners can help schools expand and strengthen mental health services by providing guidance and helping recruit qualified professionals. It can also steer schools in the right direction when it comes to funding and demystify the claims process. The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) suggests the following organizations as potential partners:
Out-of-school time providers Community-based nonprofits Hospitals University research centers or colleges of education Mission-driven foundations Government agencies Local businesses
Joe English, CEO of mental health partner Cartwheel, recommends 10 criteria to keep in mind when choosing someone to work with. These include whether the partner has an in-house team of licensed clinicians and practices evidence-based practices.
4) Hire more mental health staff
To ensure that students consistently receive comprehensive, high-quality mental health care, schools should consider increasing the number of staff dedicated to this effort. This is especially true if the school district does not meet the recommended ratios.
For example, the National Association of School Psychologists recommends a ratio of one school psychologist per 500 students. Meanwhile, the American School Counselor Association recommends that schools have one counselor for every 250 students.
Because different types of school-based mental health professionals exist, it may be beneficial to consider them and their roles within a comprehensive school mental health system. This ensures that different types of professionals are hired to meet the diverse needs of students. The following list from the 2022 research study specifically focuses on the duties of four professionals.
school counselor
We primarily provide short-term mental health services, providing advice, counseling and referrals to students who require broader support. school nurse
Provide health education and address health concerns such as mental health issues, physical and emotional disorders, and social determinants of health. school psychologist
Collaborates with families, educators, and other stakeholders to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. school social worker
We provide different types of interventions, implement prevention activities, and create safe and equitable school environments. 5) Implement a multi-layered support system
Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) is a framework schools use to improve student outcomes and address academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs. By following this framework, schools will be able to identify struggling students and provide timely and targeted support.
At MTSS, students receive three levels of support: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. Tier 1 includes supports and services designed for all students. Tier 2 includes support for a small number of students. Finally, Tier 3 consists of individualized support for those with the greatest need.
By implementing MTSS, schools will be able to meet all the needs of their students. It also allows you to address absenteeism, sabotage, and other issues early so they don’t become bigger problems down the road.
Combating chronic absenteeism through school-based care
When schools provide high-quality mental health care to students, chronic absenteeism is reduced by addressing students’ diverse needs. There are many root causes of chronic absenteeism, but whether a student is struggling academically or showing signs of depression, educators, administrators, and qualified school mental health professionals can help identify early signs of absenteeism. can intervene and provide individualized care or guidance to students. need. But none of this is possible unless school leaders commit to expanding the mental health supports offered in their districts.
The first step is to identify and address barriers that may prevent students from receiving rigorous, high-quality support. From there, we will secure funding, consider community partnerships, increase the number of mental health professionals on staff, and establish a multi-layered support system to provide comprehensive and continuous care. As a result, more students will attend school regularly and be better positioned for long-term success.
