School distress: new resource launches in Aotearoa

A northwest Auckland research group has developed and released a resource for educators and parents on school distress.

School distress, also known as school refusal, occurs when a child or young person experiences distress while attending school, or being asked to attend school. This can lead to non-attendance.  

Read the latest print edition of School News HERE

A child or young person experiencing school distress may cry, become aggressive or run away in response to being asked to go to school; refuse to move; complain of headaches and nausea or have panic attacks. They may also ask to come home partway through the school day. Being forced to go to school can be traumatic for a young person experiencing school distress, and may compound the issue.  

Local and international research has shown that school distress is not a matter of chosing not to attend school, it is an inability to attend school.  

School distress may be linked to anxiety and depression or undiagnosed neurodivergence, among other factors.  

Researchers Tania Chaney, Georgi de Stigter and Abegail Romualdo created the website to help educators, whānau and communities understand the phenomenon and how they can support young people and children to overcome school distress.  

The website guides users through a definition of school distress, dedicated support for both whānau and educators who may know a young person experiencing school distress, wellbeing support and more.  

Educators and whānau who would like to know more about school distress can access the site here.