Illnesses in School Districts Have Tripled Experts Cite Mental Health as a Contributing Factor

School avoidance, often resulting from bullying, anxiety, or embarrassment, is increasingly common, making attendance difficult for many students. A CBC investigation reveals a dramatic rise in reported illnesses contributing to absenteeism, with some districts seeing numbers triple over five years. Experts emphasize that absences can signal deeper issues, including mental health struggles and bullying dynamics exacerbated by social media. Tracking these absences is challenging due to inconsistent data collection across jurisdictions.