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Home instruction can do more harm than good when it comes to students struggling with mental health issues. It may hide or reinforce the issues, fail to meet the needs of the student, and can actually be the most restrictive environment for the student. 

Home Instruction is Not the Answer For: 

• School refusal or avoidance 

• Anxiety 

• Depression & other mood disorders 

• Behavior disorders 

• Suicidality or self-injury 

• Emotional outbursts stemming from mental illness 

• Medication adjustment 

Signs of Need for Mental Health Intervention: 

• Chronic absenteeism 

• Frequent disciplinary referrals 

• Frequent visits to school nurse 

• Social isolation 

• Disorganization/ Memory issues 

• Underachievement 

• Lack of focus 

Sage Day Princeton Clinical Director, Jennifer Smith sat down to discuss the dangers of home instruction for students suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. She encourages parents to re-integrate students back into school life as soon as possible because home instruction prevents students from getting the social interaction that they need. Through attending school and being surrounded by others, this allows for the student to develop coping mechanisms to deal with the stressors that they will face for the rest of their lives. 

Sage Day provides the flexibility to students who are transitioning back into attending school through gradually increasing the time they spend there until they are full-time again. Sage provides individual and group therapy sessions, as well as continual support and guidance to allow for a smooth transition. 

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