Schoolers": Creative Occupation Center for Children with School Refusal

The "Schoolers" community was officially inaugurated in January 2016 with the active participation of ten founding members, aiming to support children and adolescents facing school refusal. The program is organized by the Adolescent Health Unit (A.H.U.) of the Second Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, "P. & A. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, in collaboration with the scientific organization "Together for Adolescent Health". The center’s primary objective is the creative engagement of youth and their seamless reintegration into the daily school environment.

Epidemiological Data and Etiology

School refusal affects approximately 10% of the global adolescent population, while in Greece, the rate reaches 13%, exceeding the national commitments established during the Lisbon Summit (2000). Adolescents who disengage from schooling often experience fear and despair, presenting somatic symptoms (e.g., headaches, abdominal pain) and significant difficulty in academic attendance. The causes of school refusal are multifactorial and highly individualized:

• Individual Factors: Personality vulnerability, depressive affect, separation anxiety, social phobia, learning disabilities, or experiences of bullying.
• Environmental Factors: Family dysfunction, parental overwork, and socioeconomic hardships.

Clinical Observations and Giftedness

A significant number of participants present at the A.H.U. with an initial request regarding Internet Addiction, which often serves as a superficial manifestation of deeper underlying difficulties. Excessive internet use can adversely impact school attendance, socialization, physical activity, and self-care. Notably, the program includes gifted children—individuals with exceptional talents or a high Intelligence Quotient (IQ)—who may lose interest in the conventional school system. The initiative places particular emphasis on identifying and nurturing each child's unique aptitudes.

Program Structure and Activities

The program targets adolescents aged 14–17 referred to the A.H.U. Participation is based on a priority basis, with a typical duration of six months. The multidisciplinary curriculum includes:

• Artistic and athletic activities
• Tabletop and strategic gaming
• Theater and dance
• Rhetoric, philosophy, and literature
• Structured educational initiatives

Supervision and Implementation

The program is conducted at the Adolescent Health Unit (A.H.U.) under the supervision of Artemis Tsitsika, Associate Professor at the University of Athens and Academic Head of the A.H.U.

The implementation team is interdisciplinary, comprising a pediatrician, educator, psychologist, nutritionist, and drama therapist. By providing a safe and supportive environment, the program fosters positive experiences and self-confidence, encouraging a successful return to the academic framework.

The integration of "Schoolers" into the MSc curriculum underscores the Master’s active role in promoting adolescent health, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and social intervention, and highlighting innovative, practical models for youth support.