Understanding School Avoidance: How to Support Your Child’s Mental Health
Understanding School Avoidance: How to Support Your Child's Mental Health
According to the American Enterprise Institute, “chronic absenteeism–the percentage of students missing at least 10 percent of a school year– surged from 15 percent in 2018 to 28 percent in 2022.” As we continue our Back to School Series on the More than A Therapy Couch Podcast, Tree of Life Counseling Center wants to deep dive further into some of the newer mental health triggers that may be contributing to an increase in school avoidance and school refusal.
On this week’s episode, we are again joined by Stephanie DiZenzo-Priestly PhD, a therapist at Tree of Life Counseling Center with over 10 years of experience working with children and young adults to discuss how the transition back to school can impact student mental health.
What is school avoidance?
School avoidance, sometimes called school refusal or school phobia, occurs when a child refuses to attend school or has difficulty remaining in school for the entire day. While most students occasionally miss school, those with school avoidance generally experience chronic absenteeism due to unexplainable symptoms such as not feeling well, headaches, stomachaches, hyperventilation, nausea or dizziness. While school avoidance is not a mental health condition in itself, it can be a symptom of underlying mental health struggles that are impacting a student’s capacity to cope with stressors.
What causes school avoidance?
School avoidant behaviors are complex and can develop in response to a wide variety of triggers or events. Some examples of the underlying circumstances that may contribute to a student developing school avoidant behaviors including:
Stress
Social isolation
Bullying, in person or online
Academic pressure
Anxiety, or anxiety disorders
Depression
Self-esteem issues
“There are so many potential contributing factors and it’s not something that suddenly happened, it’s something that there is a build up to”
When trying to address school avoidant behaviors, it is essential to understand the underlying causes and work with school staff to create a supportive environment for students to return to school.
How can I support a child who is experiencing school avoidance?
School avoidant behaviors can result in a variety of short-term and long-term effects on a student’s overall mental health and well-being. Some of the most common effects of chronic absenteeism include declining academic performance, social isolation, family difficulties, and increased risk for developing mental health disorders.
As peers, parents, and educators, it is important that we are aware of the most common warning signs that a student may be struggling with school avoidance and the best ways to support them.
“I think advocating for your kid is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. There are tons of resources and they are not always easy to access. The parents who have some awareness of what the resources are and are pushing for their child to get those resources… are our best help.”
When should I see a professional ?
If you or a loved one are concerned about a student’s mental health, it is important to be proactive in reaching out for support. A licensed mental health professional can work one-on-one with students and parents to evaluate the root cause of symptoms and develop a customized approach to cope with the transition back to school.
By recognizing the signs of declining student mental health, fostering open communication, and establishing a supportive routine, you can help your student navigate the challenges of a new school year with confidence and resilience.
To listen to the full episode of More Than a Therapy Couch, visit https://www.youtube.com/@TreeofLifeCC or find us on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Pandora.
About Tree of Life Counseling Center
At Tree of Life Counseling Center in Princeton, NJ and Freehold, NJ, we have an experienced team of 50+ clinicians to help support you, and your family, through whatever you may be facing. Schedule an appointment today by calling 732-393-8391 or filling out an online form at https://www.treeoflifecc.org/start-today.
