Survey reveals parents concerns about children’s mental health

Two-thirds of parents and carers are worried about the long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their child’s mental health, according to a new survey.

The survey by the charity Young Minds found this figure rose to three quarters (77%) for those whose children or young people had required mental health support in the previous three months.

Around a quarter (24%) of those surveyed said that they would not know where to turn for advice and information on supporting their children’s mental health during this time.

Among respondents whose children had received mental health support in the previous three months, one in four said that their child was no longer able to access it, but still needed it.

And 66% of respondents said that the coronavirus had had a negative impact on their own mental health.

The mark the publication of the survey, the charity has launched a new campaign – Beyond Tomorrow – which calls on the government to take action to limit the long-term impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental health.

It specifically calls on ministers to commit to introducing additional support for young people’s mental health as the country emerges from the pandemic to tackle the anticipated rise in mental health needs.

‘The pandemic has also turned the lives of millions of children and young people upside down,’ said YoungMinds chief executive, Emma Thomas.

‘Many young people are finding it hard to cope with isolation, a loss of routine, anxiety about the future, a disruption to their education, and in some cases difficult or traumatic experiences at home. Despite huge efforts from mental health professionals, young people with existing mental health needs often can’t get the same level of support as they had before the crisis.

‘As our survey shows, many parents and carers are deeply worried about the long-term impact of the pandemic on the young people in their care, and don’t know where to turn for advice and support,’ added Ms Thomas.

Photo Credit – Sasint (Pixabay)