Attending school is a 'mountain' to climb for many N.B. students, says therapist

A licensed counselling therapist in Moncton says chronic absence from school is one of the biggest issues his young patients are dealing with these days — right up there with anxiety.

"Whether anxiety came first or the absenteeism came first … I think they contribute to each other and it gets to be a really big mountain," said Jason Jones of Atlantic Wellness, a clinic offering free mental health services to young people 12 to 21 years old, with funding from by private and public donors.

Around 30 per cent of students across New Brunswick are considered chronically absent, according to Education Minister Claire Johnson.

That's defined as missing more than two days a month, four weeks over the school year, or 10 per cent of instruction time.

CBC asked the Education Department how many students are not attending school at all, but no figures were provided.

Some students have been out of school since the pandemic, Jones said, and they find it increasingly difficult to return.

Jones said he and his colleagues all have a fair number of school-age clients who are either not attending school, struggling to attend, or looking at other options.

Most would like to get their high school diplomas and go on to jobs or careers, but first, they have to "figure out how to climb this big mountain," he said.

CBC asked Atlantic Wellness to quantify these types of cases, but a tally was not available.

Some students are struggling academically and feel they're too far behind to catch up, Jones said. Others are struggling socially, don't feel safe or have problems with particular teachers.

School can be a cruel environment with cliques and bullying, he said. Many find it difficult to navigate.

But avoiding school doesn't make things easier, Jones said. If the issue is not addressed, it can lead to more problems down the road, such as isolation, depression, addiction and underemployment.

Jones and his colleagues work with the young person, their family and the school district to break down barriers and build up support systems.

"It may involve walking through difficult times, but hopefully that will build strength and resilience," he said.