Students with Mental Health Struggles Linked to Absenteeism and Lower Grades, Showing Clear Need for More In-School Support

Worsening Mental Health Concerns among Children

Parents are reporting worse mental health for their children than they did a decade ago, with different groups of children struggling with mental health in markedly different ways. A recent study by the University of Southern California’s Center for Applied Research in Education found that preteen boys are struggling more with externalizing behaviors, such as hyperactivity and conduct problems, while teen girls are struggling more with internal problems, such as anxiety and depression.

The Link between Mental Health and School Outcomes

The study found that mental health screener scores are linked to grades and attendance. Specifically, students with lower grades and attendance were more likely to have difficulties scores in the highest, most concerning range. For example, among students with good attendance at the halfway point in the school year, only about 1 in 14 had a high difficulties score, while among students who were chronically absent, nearly 1 in 4 had a high difficulties score.

Academic and Mental Health Struggles

The study’s findings confirm an upward trend in student mental health concerns that began before the pandemic but was likely exacerbated by school shutdowns, social isolation, and other child and family stressors brought on by COVID-19. Children are struggling with mental health in the aftermath of the pandemic, with increased rates of teen suicides, emergency room visits, and anxiety and depression. They are also struggling academically, with reading and math achievement getting worse.

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Opportunities for Schools to Address Mental Health Concerns

There are opportunities for schools to address these trends by providing school-based mental health services, such as one-on-one counseling or therapy, case managers who can coordinate various services for students in need, and referrals to outside resources. The study found that almost three-quarters of parents whose students use school-provided services are satisfied and find them helpful. However, many schools are not offering these supports, or parents are unaware of them.

Unmet Student Need for Mental Health Supports

The study found that 20% of parents whose children are in schools without such supports say they would use them if offered. These results suggest there is an opportunity for schools to invest in not only supplying mental health services but ensuring they reach the students most in need.

What’s Next?

For schools and families to address worsening child mental health and academic outcomes, researchers must seek to better understand the underlying causes of increasing mental health concerns and absenteeism in children. Research is also needed to explore differences in the relationship between mental health and school outcomes for different subgroups of students – by income level or by racial subgroups. This can potentially inform how schools respond to problems that threaten student well-being.

Conclusion

The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for schools to prioritize mental health support for students. By providing these services, schools can help students struggling with mental health concerns and improve their academic outcomes.

FAQs

Q: What did the study find about mental health struggles among children?

A: The study found that preteen boys are struggling more with externalizing behaviors, such as hyperactivity and conduct problems, while teen girls are struggling more with internal problems, such as anxiety and depression.

Q: What is the link between mental health and school outcomes?

A: The study found that mental health screener scores are linked to grades and attendance. Students with lower grades and attendance were more likely to have difficulties scores in the highest, most concerning range.

Q: What are the opportunities for schools to address mental health concerns?

A: Schools can provide school-based mental health services, such as one-on-one counseling or therapy, case managers who can coordinate various services for students in need, and referrals to outside resources.

Q: What is the unmet student need for mental health supports?

A: The study found that 20% of parents whose children are in schools without such supports say they would use them if offered.

Q: What’s next?

A: Researchers must seek to better understand the underlying causes of increasing mental health concerns and absenteeism in children, and explore differences in the relationship between mental health and school outcomes for different subgroups of students.