Kuala Lumpur: Rising cases of school refusal among children and adolescents in Malaysia are being driven by mental health struggles such as anxiety, bullying, family conflict, and depression.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at Hospital Permai Johor Bahru, Dr. Nor Rahidah Abd Rahim, stated that the issue is often misunderstood, with many assuming that students simply ‘do not want to go to school’, when in fact the problem is rooted in deeper psychological issues that require clinical attention.
Dr. Nor Rahidah explained that children don’t refuse school without a reason, as underlying issues such as social anxiety, panic attacks, learning difficulties, or even trauma are often discovered upon investigation. She shared these insights during the Malaysian Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Psychiatry Conference (M-CHAMP) 2025, held yesterday.
Common triggers of school refusal include separation anxiety in younger children, peer-related stress such as bullying, and academic pressure, all of which have become more evident since the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Nor Rahidah noted that many students are struggling to re-adapt to school routines post-pandemic, feeling overwhelmed by social situations they haven’t encountered in two years. Additionally, prolonged online learning has led to increased screen dependency and avoidance behaviors.
Dr. Nor Rahidah emphasized that school refusal is often mislabeled as truancy or misconduct, leading to delayed intervention and a worsening of the child’s condition. She highlighted that when a child cries, complains of headaches, or begs not to go to school, it’s usually a cry for help.
She called for stronger collaboration between schools, families, and healthcare providers, stressing the need for early detection and support. Dr. Nor Rahidah urged that teachers should be trained to recognize red flags and that schools must have clear referral pathways to mental health professionals.
She also warned that children who remain out of school for prolonged periods face serious risks, including academic decline, social isolation, and worsening mental health symptoms, which in some cases require hospitalization. Hospital Permai, one of the few centers in Malaysia offering specialized child and adolescent psychiatry services, continues to see a rising number of referrals for school refusal, highlighting the urgent need for systemic support.
Dr. Nor Rahidah described school refusal as a silent epidemic and called for action with empathy, awareness, and coordinated care during her presentation titled “Unpacking School Refusal: Understanding Its Roots and Psychological Underpinnings,” under the main topic “Fear to Flourish: School Refusal.”
The three-day M-CHAMP 2025 conference, themed “Mind in Bloom: Enhancing Child and Adolescent Wellbeing,” concludes today at Casuarina Meru. The event brings together experts from across the country to share best practices and strategies for early intervention and community-based support.