Poor mental health can be both a cause and an effect of absenteeism. When students miss school, their absence can lead to social isolation, anxiety, and loneliness — and for those with existing mental health challenges — deepen their struggles.

Regular school attendance is critical to child well-being because it leads to improved academic, economic, health, and relational outcomes over a child’s lifetime. This and more information on the links between youth mental health, attendance and absenteeism are in the latest Fact Sheet from the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH).

Kids who attend school regularly tend to be more engaged with their learning, have better relationships with their teachers as well as their peers, and do better academically. “This probably isn’t surprising but the wide-ranging and long-term impacts — such as lifelong wellness and even earnings – might surprise parents,” said Linda Hall, the OCMH director.

Kids may stay home because of bullying, or anxiety, or simply feeling overwhelmed. Evading school may feel like self-care in the moment, but each absence increases the amount of work missed and can further isolate the child, which often exacerbates their anxiety.

“Especially since the pandemic, many parents think letting their child who is feeling anxious stay home for a day or two is ok. By building an understanding of the anxiety-attendance dynamic — where one gets worse, so does the other — we hope that caregivers will understand the importance of regular attendance,” explained Hall.

Schools that offer essential health services at school, those with a school nurse and a comprehensive student services team, can help students manage the link between health and academics. Students often feel less stigma seeing the school nurse, and nurses can provide care to students who might otherwise be sent home. They can also refer students to the school counselor, school social worker, or school psychologist. Since these student services professionals are a safe haven to many students with mental health concerns, they play an important role in bolstering student well-being as well as improving attendance and reducing absenteeism.

“How a school responds to a student’s absence is also important. Supportive responses that work to identify reasons behind school absence and problem solve with the family are more effective than punitive responses,” Hall advised.