Tutors International Comments on When School Isn't the Right Choice for Teen Mental Wellness

OXFORD, England, May 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Depression among affluent teens is triple the US national average, so when going to school seems an impossible hurdle, or is exacerbating episodes of anxiety, homeschooling with a private tutor can provide the supportive environments students need to get back on track, explains Tutors International, a world-leading provider of residential private tutoring.  

One of the main issues students face at school is the overwhelming pressure for academic achievement and social conformity. These can lead to fear and worry, which, in turn, often lead to avoidance behaviours, where students may miss classes or turn down extracurricular activities, further isolating them from their peers and exacerbating their anxiety or depression.

Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) runs from 13 to 19 May 2024.

How are schools tackling student mental health?

In the UK and US, particularly, student mental health is given far more attention than a generation ago.

In both the US and the UK, mental health staff are being appointed in schools to lead comprehensive well-being programs, focused on fostering good mental health, identifying and supporting students in need, and collaborating with local mental health services.

But sometimes this isn't enough.

Anxiety among affluent children is up to 30% higher than teens of other socioeconomic backgrounds, and 20% are diagnosed with clinically significant depression, 3x the US national average. Source

Depression and anxiety can affect all areas of a child's life, including sleep, diet, mental and physical health, and self-esteem. Students may be disengaged, struggle to form or maintain relationships with peers and teachers, and lose interest in future planning or activities they previously enjoyed. Importantly, anxiety and depression can impair working memory, making it difficult for students to retain new information or recall previously learned material.

Homeschooling relieves the pressure on students

By providing a safe, controlled environment tailored to a student's emotional and academic needs, homeschooling for a period of time can set a child back on a happier path.  The personalised attention from a homeschool tutor allows for a gentler pace of learning and in ways that reduce stress and anxiety about academic performance.