A student missing school is not always a sign of disengagement. Sometimes, it is a sign that something deeper is happening.
Anxiety, emotional distress and social difficulties can make it harder for young people to feel comfortable in the classroom, concentrate on learning or attend school consistently. These challenges can affect more than attendance. They can influence confidence, relationships and a student’s overall experience of education.
Research from the National Education Union (NEU) highlights just how significant the issue has become. Its 2026 survey found that 68% of secondary school teachers regularly see absenteeism linked to student mental ill-health. Almost all secondary teachers surveyed had witnessed exam anxiety, with 72% seeing it regularly.
Yet only 20% of teachers said the mental health support currently available in their school was sufficient.
Read the NEU’s State of Education: Mental Health findings.
Wellbeing Is Part of the Learning Environment
When mental health difficulties affect attendance, schools need to look beyond the absence itself. Understanding what may be happening behind the scenes is an important part of responding with empathy and getting students appropriate support.
Teachers are often among the first to notice changes in a student’s behaviour, confidence or engagement. However, they should not be expected to manage complex mental health needs without the right guidance, resources and specialist support.
A supportive school environment needs clear routes for students to seek help, access to appropriate professionals and a culture where speaking about mental wellbeing feels safe.
Supporting the People Behind the Support
There is another important part of the conversation: the wellbeing of education staff.
Supporting students through emotional and mental health challenges can place additional pressure on teachers and school teams. They need support of their own, too.
This is where Shoorah can play a role. Through its workplace wellbeing platform and Employee Assistance Programme, education organisations can provide staff with access to confidential counselling, advice and resources to help them navigate personal and work-related challenges.
It is not a replacement for specialist student services. It is another way to make sure the people supporting young people are not left without support themselves.
Because a healthier learning environment starts with recognising that wellbeing matters for everyone in it.
