1 in 10 parents say they have enough support for their child’s mental health and wellbeing

A minority (13%) of parents and carers say that they feel they have enough support for their child’s mental health and wellbeing, according to a poll commissioned by Anna Freud, a mental health charity for children, young people and families.¹

A nationally representative sample of 1120 parents and carers were asked whether they’d find a range of options useful for supporting their child’s mental health and wellbeing. Over three quarters (76%) selected at least one option, asking for:

• guidance on how to support their child with stress, anxiety and low mood (31%)

• more mental health support in schools (30%)

• more local community-based support (27%)

• easier access to counselling or talking therapies (26%)

• guidance on managing social media and other online pressures (25%)

• faster access to specialist services (24%)

• more evidence-based support for parents and carers (23%)

• financial support (21%)

The results come as many families prepare for the return to school in September. For the new academic year and beyond, Anna Freud is calling on the UK's Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to turn feedback from parents into action. With over one million children and young people referred to mental health services last year, the charity says this should include increasing and accelerating investment in prevention and early support to build young people’s wellbeing.²

Parents share their concerns

Parents also reported specific concerns related to their child’s wellbeing. For instance, nearly two-thirds (63%) of parents say they are concerned about the impact of social media and online activity on their child’s wellbeing, with nearly a third (29%) saying they are ‘very concerned’. Concern about the impact of social media is highest among parents of under-5s (68%) and 6–10-year-olds (67%), dropping to 64% for parents of 11–15-year-olds and 59% for parents of 16–17-year-olds. Parents also reported feeling concerned about:

• their child experiencing anxiety or stress (61%)

• safety in the community (61%)

• their child experiencing depression or low mood (60%)

• school pressures (59%)

• low self-esteem or confidence (58%)

• difficulties with friendships (57%)

While parents reported specific concerns - often at high levels - experts at Anna Freud say it's "encouraging" that overall perceptions of wellbeing are high. For example, over three quarters of parents agree that their child has good wellbeing (78%), that their child has positive relationships with friends and family (77%) and that their child is well fed and safely housed (79%).³

Parents were also asked to reflect more generally on the factors impacting children having good wellbeing today. Two-thirds of parents (67%) think school pressures impact children (30% say it impacts them a lot) and, similarly, 65% think social media impacts children (34% say it impacts them a lot). Parents also think children’s wellbeing today is impacted by:

• lack of activities and opportunities in the local community (62%)

• lack of opportunities to build confidence and resilience (62%)

• concerns about future employment and opportunities (61%)

• lack of access to support services (58%)

• financial pressures (58%)

• family instability (57%)

• loneliness (56%)

• experiences of racism or discrimination (55%)

Hear from the experts

Claire Evans, Acting CEO at Anna Freud – a mental health charity aiming to transform care for children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation - said:

"As we head into the new academic year, this poll offers invaluable insight into parents’ and carers’ thoughts and concerns about their children's wellbeing. Most strikingly, a minority say they have enough support. Parents tell us they want support and service improvements, including guidance on common mental health difficulties and support embedded in their child's everyday spaces, like at school and in the community. Faster and increased access would give parents the support that their family needs, along with more confidence in building their child’s wellbeing.

"And while it's encouraging that most parents perceive their child's wellbeing as good overall, they also report specific concerns about their child, often at high levels. The impact of social media and online content was reported as the biggest concern, but results were fairly evenly spread. A wide range of other factors – such as school pressures, safety in the community and difficulties with friendships - were also flagged as concerns by over half of parents.

“We want to see the government, headed by a new prime minister, turn this feedback into action. This should include increasing and accelerating investment in the different types of mental health prevention and early support that parents are telling us that they want – in homes, schools and communities – to build young people’s wellbeing.”

Kita Amos, 59 from Birmingham, is a team leader within a social services organisation and has two daughters aged 17 and 15. She is also a Participation Programme Assistant (PPA) at Anna Freud, bringing her lived experience as a parent to shape and support the charity’s work. Kita said:

"I've seen first-hand how much pressure young people are under. For my daughters in particular, it’s the transition from Year 11 onwards that’s been hard. Between them, it’s a lot to carry, including exam stress, adjusting to college, travelling independently, worries about university debt, competitive apprenticeships, part-time work, and future choices. They're ambitious and hardworking, but they're still finding their confidence and independence while navigating these challenges.

"There's definitely not enough support for parents. For guidance, I honestly wouldn't know where to go other than a teacher or a medical professional, and I don't have the confidence they'd have the time. As parents, we do our best, but our own advice can feel out of date in a fast-changing world. When my girls were little, things like Sure Start were amazing, but, for me, there's been a gap ever since in terms of that more holistic wellbeing support.

“What would help parents like me is information and support that's clear and accessible along with more community spaces, which there’s a real lack of funding for. Young people also need support to come from more than just parents, including peers, schools, employers, along with other professionals who understand the pressures they're facing. I think more accessible mental health support in schools and affordable ways to build their confidence would take a lot of that weight off them."

Find out more

Learn more about Anna Freud and our work.

View the full data tables from the poll.