School absence a big factor in child mental illness in England, data shows

"Our research shows that the more times a child is absent from school, the greater the probability that they will experience mental ill health, the authors, from Loughborough university and the ONS, concluded. The study, involving more than a million school-age children in England, found the relationship between absence and mental health was a two-way street, with lengthy absences increasing the likelihood of later hospital treatment."

"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."

"One of the study's main findings was 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."

School absence significantly contributes to children's mental ill health, and the risks increase the longer a child is absent. The relationship between absence and mental health operates both ways: lengthy absences increase the likelihood of later hospital treatment, while children with pre-existing mental health problems take more time off school. Hospital visits related to mental ill health rise more rapidly among the most persistently absent, from under two in 100 with full attendance to nearly four in 100 for over 20% absence and over five in 100 at 30% absence. Additional school support such as education, health and care plans, free school meals and SEND support lessens the increase in absence.

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