Absent but Not Invisible: Investigating the Link Between Chronic School Absenteeism and Mental Health in Canadian Youth

Chronic school absenteeism—missing more than 10% of the school year—is a growing concern in Canada, with some schools seeing very high rates. Children who frequently miss school are at greater risk of social isolation, emotional struggles, and falling behind academically. Many of these children are also dealing with mental health challenges like anxiety, ADHD, depression, or autism. Understanding how mental health and school attendance are connected is important for helping students thrive.
This research project, in partnership with Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre (CCMHC), explores the link between mental health and school attendance. The goal is to better understand the problem and provide helpful information for families, staff, and the community.
Project A will analyze data from CCMHC’s records to see how mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism are linked to school attendance in children. It will also examine how changes in mental health over time impact attendance, helping identify students who may need support earlier.
Project B will assess how well Crossroads’ Day Treatment and transition programs help students with complex mental health needs return to school and improve emotional well-being. It will analyze existing data and staff feedback to develop a plan for tracking program success, including behavior, attendance, and classroom reintegration.
Together, these two parts of the project will provide valuable insights into how mental health and school attendance are connected and how programs can be improved to help students succeed in school.

Faculty Supervisor:

Maria Rogers

Student:

Partner:

Crossroads Children’s Mental Health Centre

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Carleton University

Program: