Poster of school refusal clinic. Photo: web

 
You may have heard of 'school refusal syndrome,' but have you ever heard of a 'school refusal clinic'?

Recently, a Beijing hospital's specialized outpatient service for children who refuse to attend school has sparked heated discussions online. According to media reports, Beijing Children's Hospital was among the first top-tier hospitals in China to establish a pediatric psychological clinic.

In June 2024, the hospital expanded its child psychosomatic medicine department to create a dedicated "school refusal clinic." Since its opening 10 months ago, the clinic has treated nearly 10,000 patients.

Any psychological or emotional disorder in children and adolescents can lead to school refusal. Research suggests that approximately 17.8 percent of children and teenagers worldwide experience school refusal or related issues. In China, about 20 to 30 percent of young patients in general psychosomatic clinics exhibit school refusal behavior.

Doctors explain that biological, psychological, family, and social factors collectively contribute to this behavior. Parents suddenly facing this situation often feel overwhelmed. At the clinic, many have taken time off work to bring their children for treatment. During consultations, a key challenge is addressing parents' anxieties—their high expectations for their child's future and fears of their child falling behind peers. Doctors need first help parents recalibrate their expectations to a more reasonable level before proceeding with treatment.