Ever felt really anxious about going to school? School refusal - also called ‘school can’t’ or ‘school phobia’ - is when that feeling becomes so intense that you end up avoiding school altogether.
School refusal is different from skipping school or truancy, as often friends and family are aware that the person experiencing school refusal isn’t attending, and aren’t able to get them to attend despite their best efforts. People experiencing school refusal often want to go, but feel too overwhelmed to face it. Sometimes, the thought of going to school can lead to physical symptoms like feeling sick, trembling, or panic attacks.
While it's not a mental health condition, repeatedly avoiding school due to stress or anxiety could be a sign of a bigger mental health challenge. Here's what to look for:
If you're noticing these signs in yourself, a friend or a family member, talking to someone you trust or a GP is the best first step - they’ll be able to rule out any health issues that could be causing these symptoms and suggest management and support options.
The reasons for school refusal are complex, different for everyone and can start gradually or happen suddenly. It's worth noting that it’s not caused by poor parenting, rather it’s a stress response that's triggered by something in someone's environment. A few common things that lead to school refusal:
The stigma associated with talking about struggles and reaching out for help with them is having a huge impact on young Aussies and their parents, with a rapid decline in attendance numbers speaking volumes - a 2023 senate report found that in the previous year, half of all students did not attend 1 in 10 days of school.
Missing school doesn’t just mean missing out on learning, it can impact friendships and social life, since missed school days mean fewer chances to connect. School refusal is a behavioural symptom, and can also often be a sign of something bigger like larger environmental stressors or mental health crises. The longer it goes on, the harder it gets to bounce back, which is why early intervention and adequate ongoing support both in and outside the classroom is so important.
Recommendations made in the recent senate report include schools offering more flexible options for students struggling with school refusal, increased subsidised mental health visits and improved early identification of autism, ADHD and other specific learning and anxiety disorders to help with classroom support.
Try the notice/ask model here e.g. ‘Hey, I noticed you haven’t been at school much and I just wanted to see how you’re doing?’
If they are comfortable with sharing how they’re feeling or what they’re going through, just listening and acknowledging them can often be one of the best ways to show you care.
They’ll be able to help work through what’s troubling them and find ways to better support them at school.
Having a routine in place can help give a sense of stability. Consider including relaxation techniques to help reduce stress or anxiety, like meditation or breathing exercises.
A GP can assist them with coping strategies, and to better understand the underlying reasons for their school refusal. They can also provide a mental health care plan if needed, along with a referral to a mental health professional.
Navigating school refusal can be stressful, worrying and overwhelming for both the person experiencing it and their friends and family, and it’s important to look after yourself while showing support for someone else. If you find yourself needing to chat, there’s always someone to talk to, check out the Get Support page.
batyr is a youth mental health organisation driven by young people for young people. We empower young people to take charge of their mental health early and often.
The information on this page is intended as a general guide only and is not a substitute for professional, personalised mental health support.
If you need support, visit our Get Support page for a comprehensive list of free, confidential mental health services available to you.