Attending school consistently is really important for young people’s well-being and future. Chronic absenteeism—when young people are frequently absent from school because of health or other reasons—is associated with school dropout, unemployment, and substance abuse. On the other hand, consistent attendance is linked to stronger academic performance and better mental health.
Young people with mental health disorders are more likely to miss school than those without. These absences may, in turn, make their mental health worse, leading to a vicious downward cycle. However, effective mental health support and interventions can help young people manage and recover from symptoms and spend more time in school, turning a downward cycle into a positive journey of recovery.
How Common Are Mental Health Disorders Among Young People?
Mental health disorders are common among young people across the world. A recent meta-analysis suggested that in any year, 13.4% of young people may have a mental health disorder at some time. They found that:
- 6.5% of young people had an anxiety disorder
- 2.6% had a depressive disorder
- 3.4% had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
- 5.7% had a disruptive disorder
A survey of Australian children aged 4-17 years found that 1 in 7 met the criteria for a mental health disorder in the past year. Anxiety and ADHD were the most common disorders, while young people reported that major depression had the biggest impact on their daily lives.
For most young people, attending school each day is important for many aspects of their well-being. It’s often the centre of their social life and a process of learning, growth, and fulfilment. On the other hand, consistently missing school can cause young people to feel left out, left behind, or purposeless.
What’s the Link Between Mental Health and School Attendance?
Research has found that students with mental health disorders have lower attendance than those without and that mental health disorders are a common reason for their absence.
One study in Australia found that:
- For every mental disorder surveyed, young people with the disorder had poorer attendance than those without
- In years 1-6, young people with a mental health disorder were, on average, absent for 11.8 days each year; in years 7-10, they were absent 23.1 days, and in years 11-12, they were absent for 25.8 days
- In secondary school, 16% of missed days of school were reported as due to mental health disorders
- Around ⅕ of males and ⅓ of females in secondary school may have missed more than 20 days of school
There are several ways that mental health disorders can impact school attendance. Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression often come with somatic symptoms, causing young people to experience physical distress like headaches, nausea, and stomach pain.
Mental health disorders like anxiety and panic disorders can lead to school refusal when young people feel too anxious and stressed to attend school. Depressive symptoms can also affect young people’s motivation and interest in their studies.
Some mental health disorders, such as ADHD or conduct disorders, can cause behavioral problems that may lead to missed days due to school suspensions. In other cases, mental health problems may cause social difficulties with friends or cause someone to be a target of bullying. In the latter case, school can become an unsafe or dangerous place for a young person, causing them to stay away.
What Are the Consequences of Poor School Attendance?
Missed school days are linked to poorer academic achievement among young people. Recent evidence suggests that even missing a few days of school has a negative impact on academic performance, and the more days that are missed, the greater the effect.
Chronic absenteeism may also cause young people to feel less connected to others, motivated, or engaged. Together with poorer academic performance (and consequent lower self-esteem), these factors may reinforce mental health problems, causing further absences from school.
Supporting Young People with Mental Health Symptoms and Increasing School Attendance
Poor school attendance is one harmful consequence of mental health disorders among young people. However, mental health disorders are treatable, and with effective support, young people can recover, improve their well-being, and spend more time in school. Interventions can also help to prevent mental health disorders among young people in the first place.
Research suggests that outpatient mental health interventions may play an important role in improving young people’s mental health and school attendance. One study found that outpatient treatment was associated with increased school attendance, while community-implemented school-based mental health services led to fewer school suspensions.
Experts have identified mental health support and social and emotional well-being as key strategies for reducing school absences. Mental health promotion and prevention interventions may help students build resilience, learn strategies to manage and improve their well-being, and know where they can find additional support when they need it.
Residential Treatment and Taking a Break from School
Sometimes, outpatient support may not be suitable for a young person, especially if they have more serious or complex symptoms. Inpatient and residential support may be necessary to keep a young person safe or provide more intensive mental health care. In some cases, the school environment can exacerbate mental health problems through academic and social pressures, and a young person may benefit from taking some time out to focus on their recovery.
In these cases, young people may be worried about taking time out of school or feeling left behind. However, taking time out for treatment can be an important step in improving their well-being, attendance, and learning in the future. Young people can return to school with resilience and stronger mental health, preventing missed days of school and helping them make the most of their studies.
Some residential programs offer personal, educational programs alongside clinical care that allow young people to continue their education as they attend treatment. In other cases, schools can liaise with mental health programs, parents, and young people to support them to catch up on work or take modules they have missed in a productive and empowering way.
The Wave Clinic: Empowering Mental Health Treatment for Young People
The Wave Clinic offers specialist mental health support for young people from Malaysia, helping them plan and build fulfilling futures. Our diverse range of expert-led modalities addresses the underlying causes of mental health symptoms with sensitivity and care, taking a trauma-focused approach that supports lasting, whole-person recovery.
Our residential centre combines exceptional clinical care with personal learning programs, vocational education, enriching experiences, and community responsibility. It supports young people in building self-confidence, learning life skills, and planning for the future. Our outpatient programs offer additional support that enables young people to grow, recover, and thrive in their daily lives.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our programs, contact us today. We’re here to help.
