Close Menu
    Mental health is main cause of rising absences in England, say headteachers
    United Kingdom

    Mental health is main cause of rising absences in England, say headteachers

    Share.
    View 11 Comments

    11 Comments

    1. EwokSuperPig___ on

      Not enough people take it seriously. Being depressed isn’t just being sad and ADHD isn’t just not being able to pay attention. Those are just examples but apply for every mental health disease people face. The problem is mainly with the older generations not taking it seriously

    3. Tyler119 on

      Our autistic son has been off school for 3 days. Not uncommon but isn’t able to communicate what is wrong. Being 8 he probably doesn’t even know what is wrong. The school don’t even get in touch about this issue.

      We are under no illusions that when high school hits he will likely not be in school. No solution to this issue and it most definitely affects his mental health.

      Affects our quality of life as one of us earns less each time he is off school due to self employment.

    4. NegotiationNext9159 on

      The backlog of mental health referrals and support, plus assessments for ADHD and autism is absolutely ridiculous. It leaves teachers and parents trying to make do with what they can and fill in the gaps.

      There’s been growing issues for a long time, but since Covid it’s accelerated rapidly. Many are waiting too long for support so they end up with increased anxiety and depression making the above far worse.
      The charity I volunteer with has a waiting list months long on new youth counselling referrals.

      The NHS mental health services are overloaded and unless some serious investment and growth in them happens, as well as better mental health support directly in schools this problem is only going to get worse.

      We’re failing our youth massively and wondering why crime is increasing and why too many struggle with getting into work.

    5. Beer-Milkshakes on

      Poor mental health / stress is also the main culprit for obesity in children and adults who cook the meals alike.

    6. KentishishTown on

      Objectively speaking, things have never been easier on kids.

      I would guess a lot of the issues around this are kids seeing media about “mental health” and realising it gets them a get out from school/exams.

    7. ConfusedQuarks on

      I am betting most of these problems will be solved if parents don’t give them smartphones

    9. plawwell on

      When I was a 9yo kid in the late 70s my best friend in school died. We were told during lessons. Five minutes later we got back to lessons. Kids have it easy nowadays.

    10. Namelessbob123 on

      I’m a school counsellor that works full time in a school. I don’t know any other school in a 25 mile radius from me that also has a full time counsellor working for them.

      The evidence shows that sufficient mental health provisions vastly increases attendance and helps improve grade mark outcomes.

    11. No-Impact1573 on

      Social contagion in action,.keep talking up mental health issues in schools and other education establishments. Don’t be surprised if the students take up the bait, and use the get out card. It’s insulting to students that actually do have genuine issues.