The link between absence from school and mental ill health in children is “two-way street” according to a new study.
A report from the Office for National Statistics and Loughborough University, found that school absences “significantly contribute” to poor mental health, with the probability of rising with the levels of absence.
But it also acknowledged that children with existing mental health problems take more time off school.
Absence linked to hospital visits
The study involved more than one million school-aged children in England. One of the main findings was that the proportion of hospital visits related to mental ill health rose more rapidly among children who were the most persistently absent.
While fewer than two in every 100 children and young people with full school attendance made hospital visits for mental health difficulties, the rate was nearly four in 100 among those absent for more than 20% of the time, and more than five in 100 among those with a 30% absence rate.
The effect of school absences on mental health was amplified if the child has other vulnerabilities such as chronic health conditions, an EHCP or a SEND. The impact of each increase in absence was found to be worse for girls than boys
Louise Vesely-Shore, of the ONS, said: “This work suggests that absence from school can have a detrimental effect on some young people’s mental health. We also found that young people with mental health issues had a higher level of absence from school.
“But for students with mental ill health who received additional support at school, such as education, health and care plans, free school meals and SEND support, the increase in absence was lessened.
“More work is needed to understand this better, but clearly schools can play a vital role in supporting some students with mental health conditions.”
This innovative work has allowed us to uncover new insights into the drivers of the children and young people’s mental health crisis in England
The effect of mental ill health on school attendance was slightly improved for children with certain forms of SEND support, while those receiving support for moderate or severe learning difficulties, or speech, language and communication needs, had better levels of attendance.
The researchers examined the school records and census data of 1.1 million children in England aged five- to 16 and living at home with two parents.
Connecting parental health
Dr Simona Rasciute, senior lecturer in economics at Loughborough University, who led the analysis for the ONS, said: “This is the first large-scale data-linkage initiative in England to connect children’s education and health records with both of their parents’ health records and socio-economic characteristics, alongside household and neighbourhood factors.
“This innovative work has allowed us to uncover new insights into the drivers of the children and young people’s mental health crisis in England.”
Olly Parker, the head of external affairs and research at the YoungMinds charity, said young people often missed school because they were unable to get the support they needed quickly enough.
“We hear on our helpline from parents whose children are experiencing emotionally-based school avoidance, and the causes are often varied and complicated,” he said. “This could be because of anxiety, bullying, academic pressure, difficult relationships or a lack of support.”
