Why a growing number of Victorian students are refusing to go to school

There’s been a concerning spike in the number of Victorian students refusing to go to school.

John Chellew, who runs the School Refusal Clinic in St Kilda, says he’s seen a doubling in presentations to his clinic since lockdowns have ended.

He says school refusal is anxiety-driven and it becomes more common after a period away from school.

“School refusal is a symptom of a mental health problem … so there’s a broader issue,” Mr Chellow told Neil Mitchell.

“Two to five per cent of kids all over Australia, and actually over the western world, have anxiety related school avoidance difficulties — that means they’re not getting to school every day.”

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