School refusal rates are skyrocketing, according to experts

Therapy dogs are helping to get kids back into the classroom, as the number of kids refusing to go school skyrockets.

For nine months last year it was a struggle to get Lexee to school – and some days she refused to go at all.

The previously happy-go-lucky little girl, now seven, had simply become used to being at home during Covid and when restrictions were lifted she was overwhelmed at the thought of big crowds and a busy classroom.

“It was awful to see her so upset, so nervous not wanting to go to school,” Lexee’s mum, Rebecca, 42, who did not want her surname published, said.

“She was waking up crying in the night. Her anxiety was so high.

“I wanted to help my daughter but I didn’t know how. The situation was making us both stressed.”

The number of kids who stopped going to school skyrocketed last year, with nearly three quarters of principals citing it as their second biggest concern for pupils, with anxiety their number one concern for students.

Student Lexee, who didn’t want to go to school for nine months last year. Pictured with therapy dog Max. Picture: David Geraghty

Digital youth mental health service ReachOut has released new data which shows that views of their school refusal resource material more than doubled in 2022, compared to 2021.

New South Wales saw the biggest uptick in people viewing the content, an increase of 127 per cent on the previous year.

This was followed by Victoria, which saw an increase of 114 per cent.

By contrast, South Australia’s views increased by 63 per cent and Queensland, 62 per cent.

ReachOut CEO Ashley de Silva blamed the pandemic and extended lockdowns for the rise in school refusal.

“Disrupted learning led to some young people retreating socially, making it harder for them to return to school when lockdowns ended,” Mr de Silva said.

“Online learning also gave young people struggling with school-induced anxiety another option, which made transitioning back to face-to-face learning difficult. “

Rebecca said she found it increasingly hard to persuade or cajole her daughter to go to school last year. It forced her to work from home more.

John Chellew, founder of the School Refusal Clinic. Supplied

Lexee’s GP eventually referred her to John Chellew, from the School Refusal Clinic in Melbourne. Mr Chellew, who founded the clinic in 2016, said referrals to his clinic had doubled, if not tripled since pre-Covid.

Lexee and Rebecca live locally, but he also helps interstate clients over video call.

The clinical mental health therapist and former social worker, said he preferred to walk and talk with his young clients. Max, his therapy dog, helps kids to open up.

“I’m seeing lots of anxious children,” Mr Chellew said. “They tend to be over thinkers, intelligent, creative and sensitive.”

He said he had around 16 sessions with Lexee, and around five with Rebecca and a couple with Lexee’s grandmother, who also helped care for her.

Some of Lexee’s sessions involved visiting her classroom, with Max in tow, when there were no kids there.

“John really helped Lexee to understand that feeling anxious is not a nice feeling, but she’s not the only one to get that feeling and that it is OK,” Rebecca said.

“He has helped her deal with big emotions.”

When Lexee returned full-time to school, Max came to visit, which all the kids loved.

“It’s absolutely amazing to see Lexee skip into school,” Rebecca said.

“There’s been no tears, no refusing. She’s building her confidence again.”

Lexee is back in the classroom, thanks to John Chellew and his therapy dog Max. Picture: David Geraghty

How can parents and young people help themselves?

*Start a dialogue with your child to uncover why they do not want to attend school. Be as non-judgemental as possible and help your teen to understand that they are not in trouble, and that you just want to help.

*Instead of enforcing school attendance, it can be helpful to consider how to support your child with their mental health.

*Identify ways to motivate your child. Encourage positive conversations about school and focus on the aspects that they might enjoy, such as their favourite subject, or their peers.

*Contact the school to discuss what your options are and work with them and your child towards solutions. For example, preparing your child for what they will be doing at school that day and providing alternatives for particular activities that might be causing concern – such as sport – will help to alleviate anxieties.

*Remember, dealing with school refusal can be unpredictable. Reflect on what is and isn’t in your control and take each day as it comes.

*If you feel like you might need more support, visit your GP, a mental health professional or an online support service such as ReachOut.

*ReachOut has a range of support options including an online community where parents can share their stories of school refusal, and learn from others who have experienced the same thing.

*It is also important for parents to take steps to look after their own mental health during this period. School refusal can be a stressful experience for all the family so make sure to acknowledge your own feelings and take action to manage your wellbeing.

Source: ReachOut

Originally published as School refusal rates are skyrocketing, according to experts