Yes We Can Clinics works closely with respected educational advisors and experienced tutoring organisations to ensure that schooling is disrupted as little as possible. We understand that stepping away from education can feel counterintuitive, especially when your child is approaching an important stage in their academic journey, or when significant investments have already been made. But mental health and behavioural difficulties do not pause for exams or tuition fees. Hoping that anxiety, depression or other challenges will resolve themselves while grades stay high is, in most cases, unrealistic and may be a form of denial.
When considering whether to include schoolwork during treatment, it is helpful to look at your child’s current performance, attendance, and emotional response to school. Ask yourself: does education at this moment support their recovery, or does it increase pressure? If your child were diagnosed with a serious physical illness, would you hesitate to choose treatment because it would interrupt school? Is prioritising education above well-being perhaps placing them at even greater risk? And how are they truly doing at school? Are they attending reliably, or frequently absent? Are they disengaged, or is over-achievement masking stress, perfectionism, or fear of failure?
Our wish is for every young person to live a long life in good health. That future becomes less likely when mental health conditions remain untreated. School is important, but it is only one chapter in a much larger story. Young people have ample time to learn; their immediate safety and emotional stability must come first. We therefore encourage families to be courageous and to allow therapeutic needs to guide the decision, rather than academic pressure. For some, the school environment itself may be part of the problem — due to social dynamics, expectations, or the atmosphere. Building self-confidence, strengthening resilience, and helping young people recognise their value and potential are central to our work. Once emotional burdens have been lifted, they often return to school with renewed motivation and purpose.
Our programme does not focus on contemporary curricula, because our priority is recovery. When a young person has just found the strength to share painful experiences, it is unrealistic to expect them to transition immediately into a lesson on geography or mathematics. Instead, we dedicate time to psychoeducation, giving our fellows practical tools and coping strategies that will support them for a lifetime.
Together with our educational specialists, we will help create the most suitable pathway back to education, so that your child can thrive when they are ready. And for those who no longer require schooling, our partners can support them in finding meaningful work and a positive next step.
You’re welcome to call us at +31 (0)85 02 01 222, or you can reach us via our contact form. We’re here to support you.
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