title: School dropouts: examining the space of reasons.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dropping out of school is a worldwide phenomenon with drastic mental health consequences for children, families and society. AIM AND MATERIALS METHODS: This study examines school dropouts in one district in Kerala with an emphasis on looking at multiple reasons for the problem.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common "reason" was various Physical disorders (80, 21.8%) followed by Mental Retardation (77, 20.9%). Child labour (Employment) came last (30, 8.1%) as a "reason" while financial issues constituted 50 (13.6%). Family issues accounted for 63 (17.1%) and School-related issues 68 (18.5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the need to examine a space of reasons for this phenomenon with active involvement and coordination of multiple agencies to examine and support getting children back to school and prevent dropouts.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Psychiatrist, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Arun N R
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Kishore
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Shaji
keywords: Biopsychosocial issues in; mental health; reasons; school dropouts