Chronic Absenteeism in Nevada: Part II – Intersections with Mental  Health

This second brief in the Guinn Center’s three-part series on chronic absenteeism focuses on the connection between mental health and student attendance, emphasizing the importance of school-based mental health resources. Nationwide, approximately 20 percent of students have a diagnosed mental health disorder, with anxiety and depression on the rise. For example, diagnoses for anxiety increased by 27 percent and depression by 24 percent between 2016 and 2019. Mental health issues, including those related to bullying, learning disabilities, and adverse childhood experiences, are among the top health-related drivers of absenteeism.

‍In Nevada, the crisis is particularly acute: the state ranked last in the nation in 2024 for youth mental health and access to care. Roughly 24 percent of Nevada youth reported experiencing at least one major depressive episode, and rates of suicide ideation and attempts among middle and high school students remain alarmingly high.

Chronic absenteeism is often the result of compounding factors such as social media overuse, unaddressed trauma, and academic struggles, especially among students with learning disabilities. Students who are bullied are significantly more likely to miss school, and those with learning disabilities are 36 percent more likely to be chronically absent than their peers. To address these overlapping challenges, the brief explores the implementation of a Comprehensive School Mental Health System (CSMHS) and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) in Nevada schools. These models provide universal, targeted, and intensive mental health services to meet students’ diverse needs.

Read Part I of our series here:

Chronic Absenteeism in Nevada: Part I – Trends, Factors, and Policy Considerations

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