A woman whose children have been off school for a long period due to acute anxiety has pleaded for help to get them back into full-time education. Beverly Craig said her son Casey, 14, and 12-year-old daughter Autumn "go into meltdown" anytime they go near school so they have been off for months on end. One leading mental health consultant said "school-based anxiety" is "off the Richter scale" in Northern Ireland after BBC News NI learned that thousands of children had missed more than a tenth of school days in the current academic year. The Department of Education (DE) said increasing pupil attendance was an "ongoing challenge" and "not unique to Northern Ireland". The Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn is so concerned about the high levels of "emotionally based school avoidance" that he has instructed his officials to investigate the phenomenon. Some of the main causes cited are anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and bullying, either physical or online. One politician alone, the SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter, said she is in touch with 200 families across Northern Ireland who have children who will not attend class. More than 4,000 pupils with the very highest rates of absenteeism are currently referred to specialists for help but it is unclear how many of these are linked to "emotionally based school avoidance". Ms Craig said Casey has not been at school since Easter of last year and Autumn has been off since September. Both are enrolled at Laurel Hill Community College in Lisburn. The 44-year-old single mother said they find the secondary school environment "overwhelming". "It ranges from not being able to eat, not being able to sleep, having just a complete meltdown trying to get through the doors, crying," she said. "Didn't want to get out of bed, didn't want to get dressed, didn't want to get in the car - you had these four or five challenges even before you've got to the school doors, and then teachers are expecting them just to walk in and continue with their day as normal." She said offers of reduced timetables or "time-out" passes, whilst well-intentioned, actually made her children feel worse. "I just feel like the secondary school setting is not suitable for every child and, unfortunately, the alternative to the secondary school doesn't exist," Ms Craig said. "We're not in 1925 anymore, we're in 2025 and the school system has not changed." She said education authorities need to offer more help to people like her and her children. Ms Craig is now paying out of her own pocket to get them schooled in English and mathematics in a private setting. "It's not that they don't want to learn," she said. "Both of them are very intelligent and they're willing to learn, but they're willing to learn in the right settings, just not a big school." Omagh-based mental health consultant Bronagh Starrs believes Northern Ireland is facing an "epidemic" of school-based anxiety. She said many of these children are academically capable and want to go to school, but cannot. "They just have catastrophic levels of fear around going to school, they just think of the worst possible scenarios." She added: "The difference between truancy and this phenomenon is that parents are usually aware, or very aware, of the issue and are actively trying to help the young person. "These kids have genuine psychological struggles to attend school." She said schoolchildren had become "entrenched" during the Covid-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, when they had to stay at home, and then struggled when schools opened up again. Ms Starrs said the issue is now "off the Richter scale in terms of the extent of this phenomenon in every school". SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter described it as the biggest issue she has dealt with since being elected to Stormont five years ago. She said a lot of young people are waiting on an autism or ADHD assessment and feel the school environment is "anxiety-inducing". It was also very distressing for parents who "don't know where to go for guidance", she added. "I've spoken with a number of parents who've actually had to leave their job because their child is not attending school, so it's a massive issue across Northern Ireland. "We have a big problem here." Hunter also accused education authorities of "failing quite a large number of children" because they have not recognised the severity of the problem. Of the 4,120 children referred to the Education and Welfare Service, more than a third are currently on a waiting list, the Education Authority (EA) confirmed. Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn said the high rates of "school avoidance" - and understanding why so many children are involved - are "a top priority" for his office. He said they were "exploring issues related to anxiety-based school avoidance, impact of poverty, ill health, long-term impact of Covid-19 and bullying". "We need to understand why these children and young people are not returning to school and explore whether their support needs are being met," he added. "Additionally, with fewer educational psychologists in schools and the increasing impact of mental health issues, particularly since Covid, we must do more to support children and young people's wellbeing." The Education and Welfare Service (EWS) currently receives an average of 300 referrals every month from schools about children who are not attending class, although the causes can range from emotional-based school avoidance to physical health, domestic abuse and drug and alcohol issues. From 2019 to May 2025, nearly 500 parents or guardians were prosecuted by the Education Authority for keeping their children from school without a valid excuse. Previous figures from the Department of Education (DE) show there was a significant rise in school absences after the Coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns. The DE said it recognised that "attitudes towards regular school attendance have changed since the Covid-19 pandemic and that some children and young people face challenges that make regular attendance at school difficult". Officials said regular attendances had actually improved in the last three years and help was available through emotional health and wellbeing programmes. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, information about help and support is available via BBC Action Line.
'My children are too anxious for school - please help me get them educated'
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Northern Ireland Faces Rising School Anxiety as Families Seek Support for Children"
Bbc News
6.9
TruthLens AI Summary
Beverly Craig, a single mother from Northern Ireland, has issued a heartfelt plea for assistance in getting her children back into full-time education after they have been unable to attend school due to severe anxiety. Her 14-year-old son Casey and 12-year-old daughter Autumn have not been to school for months, with Casey absent since Easter of the previous year and Autumn since September. Craig described the distress her children experience, stating that they go into 'meltdown' mode at the mere thought of attending school. This issue of school-based anxiety has become a significant concern across Northern Ireland, with many children missing substantial amounts of school. The Department of Education has acknowledged that increasing pupil attendance is a challenge not unique to the region, while the Children's Commissioner has launched an investigation into the alarming rates of emotionally based school avoidance. Factors contributing to this phenomenon include anxiety, ADHD, autism, and bullying, both physical and online. Politicians, including SDLP assembly member Cara Hunter, report being in contact with numerous families facing similar struggles, highlighting a systemic issue that requires urgent attention and intervention.
Mental health professionals are sounding the alarm about what they describe as an 'epidemic' of school-based anxiety in Northern Ireland. Bronagh Starrs, a mental health consultant, noted that many affected children are academically capable but are hindered by overwhelming fear associated with the school environment. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, leading to an entrenched sense of anxiety among students who found it challenging to return to school after prolonged periods of isolation. The Education Authority has seen a surge in referrals related to school attendance issues, with many children waiting for assessments related to ADHD or autism. The Children's Commissioner emphasized the importance of understanding the underlying causes of school avoidance, including the impact of poverty and mental health challenges. With a significant number of families struggling without adequate support, the situation has raised concerns about the education system's ability to meet the needs of these children. Craig, who is now funding private education for her children, believes the current school system is not equipped to support every child's unique needs, urging for more tailored solutions that enable children to learn in environments where they feel safe and supported.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the increasing issue of school-related anxiety among children, focusing on the experiences of Beverly Craig and her children, who have been unable to attend school due to severe anxiety. It sheds light on a broader trend in Northern Ireland, where many children are missing significant amounts of school due to mental health challenges.
Community Impact and Awareness
The report aims to raise awareness about the mental health crisis affecting school-aged children, particularly in Northern Ireland. By sharing Beverly's story, it seeks to evoke empathy from the public and encourage discussions about the need for better mental health support systems within schools. The mention of a mental health consultant’s alarming statement about “school-based anxiety” being “off the Richter scale” serves to underscore the urgency of the situation, highlighting that this is a widespread issue rather than an isolated case.
Possible Concealment of Broader Issues
While the article focuses on the personal struggles of one family, it may also be a way to divert attention from systemic issues in education and mental health care that contribute to these challenges. The statistics about absenteeism and the involvement of politicians may suggest that this is not just an individual problem but a societal one that the government must address. However, the narrative does not delve deeply into potential shortcomings in educational policies or mental health services that could be exacerbating the issue.
Manipulative Elements
The language used in the article elicits sympathy and concern, particularly through the detailed accounts of the children’s struggles. This can be seen as a form of manipulation, as it aims to rally public support for increased mental health resources without fully exploring the underlying causes or potential solutions. The focus on emotional distress and the mother's plea for help may lead readers to feel compelled to act, but it could also overshadow the need for more comprehensive discussions about mental health infrastructure.
Comparative Context
When compared to other reports on mental health in education, this article aligns with a growing body of media coverage addressing the mental health crisis among youth. It connects with broader narratives around the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health, suggesting a shared context of increasing anxiety and school avoidance. This can create a sense of urgency among both the public and policymakers to respond to these growing concerns.
Potential Societal Repercussions
The coverage of this issue may spur community support for mental health initiatives and influence education policies aimed at addressing absenteeism. It could lead to increased funding for mental health resources in schools and a push for more inclusive educational practices. The emotional nature of the piece may also encourage other families facing similar issues to come forward, potentially amplifying the call for systemic change.
Target Audience
The article primarily addresses parents, educators, and policymakers, appealing to those who are concerned about children's mental health. It aims to resonate with families experiencing similar struggles, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. The emotional tone seeks to engage a broad audience, including those who may not have direct experience with such issues but can empathize with the plight of children and families affected by anxiety.
Economic and Market Implications
While the article is primarily focused on social issues, it may indirectly affect sectors related to mental health services and educational resources. Companies providing mental health support and educational programs could see increased interest and potential investment as awareness grows. However, it is unlikely to have a direct impact on stock markets unless it leads to significant policy changes or new funding initiatives.
Global Relevance and Current Events
This report reflects a growing global trend regarding the mental health of children, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. The issues highlighted are relevant in many contexts beyond Northern Ireland, making it part of a larger conversation about children's mental health worldwide.
AI Involvement in Reporting
There is a possibility that AI tools were used in crafting this article, particularly in structuring the narrative or analyzing data trends related to absenteeism and anxiety. However, the emotional depth and personal stories suggest a human touch in the storytelling aspect, which AI may not fully replicate.
In summary, while the article presents a compelling account of the challenges faced by Beverly Craig and her children, it also serves as a catalyst for broader discussions about mental health in education. The personal narrative effectively captures attention, but it may also simplify a complex issue that requires more in-depth exploration and systemic solutions.