Navigating Missing School for Mental Health Treatment

There is increasing comfort and reduced stigma in discussing topics related to children’s mental health. In addition, schools are also increasing school mental health programming. With these positive changes, families have increased their focus on balancing their children’s mental health care with other aspects of daily life, including school. Deciding when it’s okay to remove your child from class for any medical appointment can feel like a difficult decision because families want children to get the care they need while also not falling behind.

Mental illnesses are increasingly common in childhood and adolescence: approximately 20% of children struggle with one. Depending on the symptoms, treatment of these illnesses can involve appointments with doctors, therapists and other mental health professionals.

While it’s ideal to schedule these types of appointments after school hours, it isn’t always possible. Parents may be tempted to cancel or push back appointments by weeks or months to find a more convenient time slot, but it’s important that children receive care on the schedule recommended by their providers. Following recommended care can actually reduce the duration of treatment.

Here are a few answers to common questions when it comes to pulling children out of school for mental health treatment.

How Can I Prevent My Child from Falling Behind?

Communicate as far in advance as possible with teachers about your child’s appointments so that they have time to make the appropriate adjustments, such as alternate assignments or extended due dates.

If you notice an impact of mental health treatment-related absences on your child’s school performance, talk to your child’s school about the possibility of supports, such as a 504 plan. 504 plans are formal arrangements between schools and families to provide specific supports to children with chronic illnesses or disabilities. They can help ensure your child doesn’t fall behind.

What If My Child Feels Uncomfortable About Their Need for Mental Health Treatment?

Though there is greater openness to talking about mental health, there can still be stigma or misperceptions attached to mental health diagnoses. Children may worry about the social repercussions of their peers knowing the real reason they are being pulled out of classes.

Encourage your child to focus on the fact that having a mental health disorder is not so different from having a chronic physical illness. Although these illnesses all affect different parts of the body, they are the same in that nobody chooses to have them. There is no shame in getting treatment for illnesses we cannot control. It can also be helpful to talk with your child’s provider about their feelings about being in treatment to identify strategies they can use to manage their discomfort.

Still, they don’t have to tell their friends why they are being pulled from class if they don’t want to. In a world where your child may feel like they can control very little, you can empower them to feel ownership of their own health information.

How Can I Best Balance Mental Health Care and School?

Uncontrolled symptoms of some of the most common mental illnesses can directly impact concentration, attention, and motivation, leading to more trouble with schoolwork, peer relationships, and other aspects of functioning. That’s why, though your child’s education is incredibly important, it can also be important that they receive the mental health care that they need when you notice your child may be struggling because of these symptoms. Health issues that are not appropriately monitored can also get worse – which could mean even more appointments, sick days and overall absences later.

can be tricky to balance everything – school, hobbies, friendships, sports and medical or mental health care. Speaking with your child’s mental health provider and the school about possible barriers that may interfere with care and options for navigating these potential challenges upfront can be beneficial.  It is also important to consider that there may be others in your child’s life, like family and friends, that may be willing to help with some of these aspects (e.g., extracurriculars) while you focus on mental health treatment appointments. Remember, your child’s wellness is essential to all aspects of their life, including school!