Mental health and experiences of school attendance through the Irish Education Welfare Service

Abstract

This article explores the impact of mental health on school attendance. This study is based on PhD research involving young people referred to the Statutory Irish Education Welfare Service (EWS). These young people were referred to the Service for poor school attendance or non-school attendance and presented with school refusal behaviours. Truancy was not considered a factor in the absenteeism; parents were aware of the absences and admitted that they were unable to get their children to attend school or return to school. This article specifically examines the relationship between mental health and school attendance through a qualitative research piece and uses four case study samples from the research. The research indicates how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma, bereavement, parental mental health and bullying all have significant impact on school attendance and engagement, and how inadequate supports for young people, struggling with complex issues, result in prolonged periods of school absenteeism.