Homeschooling Children with Mental Health Conditions

Many children and young people experience behavioural and emotional challenges at some point, but these can often be overcome with the right help and support.

Children with mental health challenges can often struggle to thrive in a traditional school environment, with factors such as peer pressure, exam pressure and loud, busy classrooms all impacting a child’s mental wellbeing. In many instances, children who suffer with mental health conditions may also start to avoid school or miss classes, leading to them falling behind, having a further negative impact on their self-esteem.

Mental health conditions in children can include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
• Conduct Disorder (CD)
• Tourette Syndrome
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• A comfortable, familiar learning environment.
• There is less public pressure.
• There is less time-pressure and strict structural rules.
• They can take a break when they need to.
• Flexible learning to allow time for therapy and self-care.
• Encourages autonomy, which helps build confidence and self-esteem.
• Children can learn at their own pace, without fear of judgement.