A quote by Dr. Naomi Fisher on a piece of torn paper that reads: Attendance (and behaviour) isn't the real problem. It's the signal that something is wrong.

Attendance (and behaviour) isn't the real problem. It's the signal that something is wrong. By Dr. Naomi Fisher

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #SchoolAttendance #ymhc

A 3D book mockup of the "Handbook on School Attendance Challenges" by Sheryl Boswell, showing it is available in digital fillable and photocopiable formats.

Handbook on school attendance challenges: addressing barriers to education with tiered school-wide strategies. ymhc.ngo/workbooks

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #ymhc

A promotional image for the Handbook on School Attendance Challenges showing the book cover and links for digital and photocopiable pre-orders.

Handbook on school attendance challenges: Addressing barriers to education with tiered school-wide strategies.

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #SchoolAttendance #teachers #educators #ymhc

An illustration of a clipboard with a list of physical and emotional symptoms associated with school anxiety, such as lightheadedness, tummy troubles, and feeling alone.

What school anxiety might feel like.

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #studentmentalhealth #studentwellbeing #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #ymhc

Waves of change in school attendance challenges. ymhc.ngo/2026

#schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #schoolattendance #ymhc

Waves of change in school attendance challenges. ymhc.ngo/2026

#schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #schoolattendance #ymhc

A close-up, serious portrait of a young boy looking through a metal grid fence with text overlaying the bottom regarding school avoidance and feeling like a prisoner at home.

Make sure the walls you build to protect yourself and feel safe from school do not make you a prisoner of your home.

ymhc.me/schoolphobia

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #mentalhealth #studentmentalhealth #youthmentalhealth #ymhc

A quote by Dr. Ross Greene that reads "Kids go to school if they can" centered on a piece of torn grey paper against a light blue background.

Kids go to school if they can.

By Dr. Ross Greene

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #SchoolAttendance #ymhc

A digital graphic titled "School Attendance Challenges" with a sidebar menu listing topics like the ASAP model, student lived experience, and resources.

School attendance challenges: addressing barriers to education with tiered school-wide strategies.
sac.ymhc.ngo

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #SchoolAttendance #ymhc

A grid of colorful boxes containing various terms for school attendance issues, including school refusal, school phobia, school-induced anxiety, and chronic absenteeism.

Language to describe school attendance challenges.

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #schoolmentalhealth #ymhc

An educational infographic detailing emotional, physical, cognitive, and social warning signs of school attendance challenges, such as anxiety, stomachaches, difficulty concentrating, and social isolation.

Warning signs: How to recognize attendance challenges.

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #ymhc

Waves of change in school attendance challenges. ymhc.ngo/2026

#schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #schoolattendance #ymhc

A promotional graphic for the 2026 National Virtual Conference on school attendance challenges, featuring a wave illustration and classroom imagery.

2026 National Virtual Conference: Waves of change in school attendance challenges. Learn more and sign up at ymhc.ngo/2026

#schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #schoolwidestrategy #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #education #ymhc

A graphic with the title Teaching a Student with School Anxiety. The text reads: Your support could make a difference. Try to understand your student's experience of school. Try to understand the challenges your student faces and explore ways to support them. The background features a serene landscape with tall grass and a body of water.

Teaching a student with school anxiety. Your support could make a difference.

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #studentmentalhealth #schoolmentalhealth #studentwellbeing #youthmentalhealth #ymhc

A photo of an empty wooden school desk and chair with the text "Every absence from school tells a story" and information about the 2026 National Virtual Conference.

Every absence from school tells a story. 2026 National Virtual Conference, May 29-30, 2026.

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #ymhc

A circular flow chart depicting barriers to education including unmet educational needs, negative thoughts about school, increased anxiety, and school avoidance.

Barriers to education and learning.

#schoolanxiety #schoolattendancechallenges #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #studentmentalhealth #ymhc

Myth: "Punishment motivates students to show up." Fact: Fear-based approaches can make anxiety worse and increase school avoidance. Compassion, not consequences, creates safety and re-engagement.

Fear-based approaches can make anxiety worse and increase school avoidance.
Compassion, not consequences, creates safety and re-engagement.

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #youthmentalhealth #ymhc

An empty chair. A student's story. A call to action. We need more champions for students facing attendance challenges. Champions who lead with humility, integrity, and compassion. Champions who understand that each story is different. Stay tuned: www.ymhc.ngo/2026

Stay tuned: www.ymhc.ngo/2026

#SchoolAttendance #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #studentmentalhealth #youthmentalhealth #education #teachers #ymhc

Reframe: Shame around absences. I’m embarrassed that my child has missed so much school. ➔ My child’s mental health matters more than public perception. You’re not alone. Many families are facing this issue silently. Let’s end the shame.

Reframe: Shame around absences.

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #ymhc

"My daughter initially complained of headaches before school. No one indicated anxiety was a possible cause, and it was only a random internet search that tuned me in to the topic of school anxiety and phobia. That allowed me to speak more openly with our daughter regarding her feelings about school."

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #schoolwidestrategy #youreducationmatters #SchoolAttendance #ymhc #schoolattendancechallenges

School Attendance Challenges: Experiences of grief, loss, and separation Lack of support for inability to learn Decrease in motivation Inability to function, concentrate, and manage education Increased anxiety Emotional distress leading to avoidance of situation causing distress (school) Distancing from source of stress Experiences temporary relief Increased comfort at home School absence Loss of friends and increased isolation

School Attendance Challenges: Experiences of grief, loss, and separation

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #schoolattendancechallenges #studentmentalhealth #mentalwellness #ymhc

Chronic absenteeism is a warning sign of unmet needs, not a lack of motivation.

Chronic absenteeism is a warning sign of unmet needs, not a lack of motivation.

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #studentwellbeing #education #warningsigns #mentalhealthawareness #ymhc

"My daughter has been feeling anxious about going to school. She feels she does not fit in, that no one likes her, and she just wants to stay home. The teachers have been great, but I worry about the time it is taking them to cater to her when they have 30 other children that need to learn."

sac.ymhc.ngo

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #SchoolAttendance #ymhc #parents

School-Induced Anxiety & Phobia Unmet educational needs Decrease in motivation Negative thoughts about school Increased anxiety Emotional distress leading to avoidance of situation causing distress (school) Distancing from source of stress Experiences temporary relief Increased comfort at home Increase in school avoidance Loss of friends and increased isolation

School-Induced Anxiety & Phobia
sac.ymhc.ngo

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #SchoolAttendance #ymhc #anxiety

"Every day would start with me trying to get conditions perfect so I could get my son to school. I felt like I was walking on eggshells while holding a hand grenade, without having slept for a week. If I could manage to get him — one, out of bed; two, clothes on; three, fed and into the car — I would often end up with a screaming child in the school car park." "Every day felt like I had fought a massive battle before 9am, and my nervous system was absolutely wrecked."

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #educationsupportteam #SchoolAttendance #ymhc #schoolattendancechallenges #studentmentalhealth #studentwellbeing #mentalhealthmatters

Bullying, harassment, and discrimination at school: - Unsupported safety needs - Decrease in motivation - Negative thoughts about school - Increased anxiety - Emotional distress leading to avoidance of situation causing distress (school) - Distancing from source of stress - Experiences temporary relief - Increased comfort at home - Increase in school avoidance - Loss of friends and increased isolation [https://ymhc.me/schoolphobia](https://ymhc.me/schoolphobia) #schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #youreducationmatters #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #ymhc

Bullying, harassment, and discrimination at school

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #youreducationmatters #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters #ymhc

Every student who struggles with attendance is telling us something. Our job is to listen.

Every student who struggles with attendance is telling us something. Our job is to listen.

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #studentwellbeing #education #ymhc #support

What people think are the reasons for school absence - Lazy students - Bad parents Possible reasons for school absence - Unmet disability needs - Bullying or harassment - Feeling unsafe - Sensory overload - Trauma - Academic pressure, difficulties, anxiety

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #education #ymhc #support

School Attendance Challenges Website https://sac.ymhc.ngo/ Canada's first survey on school attendance challenges and barriers to education and learning Survey findings from 519 families Over 400 stories from families with elementary and secondary students who experience challenges in accessing and managing school A report on the findings with information on language and research over the last hundred years

School Attendance Challenges Website
sac.ymhc.ngo

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #SchoolAttendance #ymhc #schoolattendancechallenges #studentmentalhealth #education

Possible barriers to education that can lead to school avoidance: School Anxiety & Phobia Transitional Challenges Sensory Overload Disability Needs Not Met Academic Challenges & Pressure Generalized & Social Anxiety Family Security Issues Death, Loss, Illness in Family or Friends Curriculum Not Tied to Interests or Motivators Bullying & Harassment

Possible barriers to education that can lead to school avoidance

#schoolanxiety #schoolphobia #schoolavoidance #schoolabsenteeism #studentmentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #anxiety #stress #education #ymhc