Teen Truancy: The Causes, Consequences, and Mental Health Impact

Every parent wants the best for their children and to see them thrive and do well in school. When they have teenagers who make a habit of skipping school, it causes mothers and fathers to wonder what’s going on and how they can help their child. 

If your child is constantly engaging in teen truancy, Horizon Recovery can help. We offer residential and outpatient options that help adolescents who experience poor mental health or substance use disorders. 

Our licensed and skilled staff of clinicians helps teenagers identify the reasons they avoid school and work to heal them so they can enjoy a successful education.

Learn more about our residential adolescent programs in Arizona or verify your insurance now. 

What is Teen Truancy?

Teen truancy is the absence from school of a student who does not have permission from their parents, caregivers, or the school to miss a day. 

Many teenagers may skip one or two days without real damage to their education, but when it becomes habitual, long-lasting problems develop. Schools often require their students to attend a specific percentage of days, and when they fall below that number, they may have to attend summer school or repeat a grade. 

There may also be penalties levied by the school or state, with parents sometimes being held responsible in addition to the students. 

Why Do Teenagers Skip School?

Teen truancy can have a variety of triggers, with some being more apparent than others. Common reasons teenagers skip school include:

• Bullying
• Feeling like they don’t have any friends 
• Mental illness symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, moodiness, and difficulty paying attention
• Fights with friends and schoolmates
• Difficulty of a romantic nature, such as rejection or a breakup 
• Schoolwork is not challenging enough or too challenging
• Still not adjusted after the liberal restraints from virtual schooling during the pandemic
• Abusing drugs or alcohol
• Experiencing a traumatic event, which is often not known by the parents
• Caring for a family member
• Peer pressure to skip school
• Having to work to support the family

The Pandemic and Teen Truancy

When COVID-19 impacted the world, it caused a plethora of schools to close their doors for several weeks, a semester, and even an entire year. 

Students did their best to attend classes on their computers, but it was often chaotic and difficult for them to pay full attention and adapt to virtual classes. Once the schools reopened, many students found it difficult to adjust to going back, and skipping classes often seemed like the preferred alternative. 

This proves especially true for those who developed a mental health disorder during the pandemic, such as depression or anxiety.

Does Teen Truancy Have a Negative Effect?

When a teenager makes a habit of being truant, it can affect them in both the short- and long-term. 

Their grades often suffer, and their ability to grasp class subject matters declines. The student and their parents may face charges and punishment in some cases. 

Truancy often causes the individual to repeat a grade and can increase the chances they will drop out of school. It can also leave them feeling isolated and potentially use drugs or alcohol to fill their emotional needs and free time.

Talking to Your Child About Truancy

If a parent has a child for whom teen truancy has become a problem, they can take action to try to identify the triggers for skipping school and address them. 

They should open a dialogue and speak calmly rather than in an angry, accusatory tone. Parents can ask why the student is skipping school, what they do when they are missing classes, and what would make staying in school easier to navigate.

Can Mental Health Disorders Be Tied To Habitual Truancy in Teenagers?

Teenagers with poor mental health often find their world is so overwhelming that school can feel like a burden rather than an important focus in their lives. The same is true for those lost in the world of addiction. When a parent sees that their child is habitually missing school, it’s important to seek an evaluation from a physician or mental health expert to see what’s going on beneath the surface.

What Kind of Therapies Can Help Troubled Teens?

Teenagers who struggle with mental illnesses and substance use disorders can learn how to manage their symptoms of poor mental health and overcome their addictions by attending a roster of therapies. Helpful ones for troubled teens include:

• Clinical therapies
• Holistic therapies
• Family therapy
• Education services
• Independent living skills training
• Neurofeedback therapy
• Medication Management

Begin Treatment for Mental Health Disorders in Teenagers in Arizona

Does your child struggle with a mental health disorder or an addiction to drugs or alcohol, which causes them to skip school regularly? Teen truancy can severely limit a child’s ability to get good grades, enjoy a well-rounded education, and go on to the right college or career. 

Horizon Recovery provides both outpatient and residential options for the treatment of troubled teenagers. Our compassionate staff helps adolescents to discover their power to heal and thrive in life. We include the parents as part of the process so they know their child is receiving the care they need in a safe environment.

‍Contact us now, and let’s talk about how we can manifest a healing path for your teenager and get them back in school. We offer free insurance verifications for those who want to know their financial options.