How Mental Health Challenges Are Impacting School Absence

Every day, children across England are missing school—not because they don’t want to learn, but because mental health challenges make attending lessons too difficult.

Anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional distress can make the classroom feel frightening rather than welcoming. This impacts children’s learning, wellbeing, and future opportunities.

Recent data from the Department of Education (2025) shows that mental health struggles are now a leading factor in school absence across the UK. At KidsAid, we see the impact of this every day.

How Mental Health Impacts School Attendance

Missing school affects far more than academic progress. Friendships, confidence, emotional resilience, and overall wellbeing are all impacted.

Recent statistics highlight the scale of the issue:

Persistent absence—missing 10% or more of lessons—now affects around 18% of pupils, higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Children missing 20% of school are more than twice as likely to experience mental health difficulties.

At 30% absence, this rises to nearly three times the likelihood of mental health challenges.

Children already living with mental health difficulties are seven times more likely to miss more than 15 days of school compared with their peers.

These figures reveal a cycle: poor mental wellbeing can lead to school absence, and missing school can further worsen mental health, creating a reinforcing pattern that affects learning, social development, and confidence.

The Wider Impact on Families

The effects of school absence can ripple through the entire family:

Parents may reduce work hours or leave jobs to support their child.

Families can feel judged, isolated, or unsupported by schools and services.

Emotional strain can affect siblings and caregivers, creating stress throughout the household.

Recognising these challenges is the first step toward meaningful support.

How KidsAid Supports Schools and Young People

To address these challenges, KidsAid works directly with schools in Northamptonshire, Peterborough, and surrounding areas to support children whose emotional wellbeing affects their attendance and learning. Our approach includes:

One-to-one and group therapy for children struggling with anxiety, trauma, or low mood.

Parent support programs to help families understand and respond to mental health challenges.

Training and wellbeing programs for school staff, equipping teachers and pastoral teams to identify and respond early.

Schools that partner with KidsAid consistently report improved pupil engagement, fewer behavioural incidents, and stronger emotional resilience among students. When children’s mental health is supported, attendance improves—and so do learning outcomes, confidence, and long-term wellbeing.

Stronger Together: Supporting Every Child

Mental health is a community responsibility. Anxiety, trauma, and emotional distress should never prevent a child from learning. By working together—families, schools, and organisations like KidsAid—we can ensure every child has the guidance, support, and tools they need to learn, grow, and thrive.

Supporting children’s mental health isn’t just a family concern—it’s an education issue and a community priority. When we act collectively, we can break the cycle of school absence and emotional distress, helping children reach their full potential.

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or school professional seeking support, contact KidsAid today to find out how we can help. Because every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.