A recent survey has shown that almost 20 per cent of parents of mostly primary school age have sought some form of mental health support for their child during the Covd-19 pandemic.
It also showed that 55 per cent of parents have concerns about the long-term impact of the pandemic on their child’s mental health.
The survey, which was carried out by Walk in My Shoes, the awareness-raising and education campaign of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, in conjunction with the National Parents Council Primary, saw nearly 2,000 parents respond to the questionnaire that explored parents’ concerns for their children’s mental health as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 85 per cent of parents who responded to the survey had children aged between five and 12 years.
The survey was issued to more than 9,000 parents on the National Parents Council Primary network and was completed between June 8 and June 30. This is the second consecutive year that Walk in My Shoes and the National Parents Council have conducted a survey to specifically gain insights into how Covid-19 is impacting young people’s mental health, particularly younger children between the ages of five and 12.
Findings revealed that:
· Approximately 55 per cent of parents are concerned about the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their children’s mental health.
· Almost 20 per cent of children received some form of mental health support over the course of the pandemic; (private counselling (six per cent ), HSE community supports (3.5 per cent ), school counsellor (2.7 per cent ), local clubs (two per cent ), and other supports (six per cent ).
· Thirty per cent of parents sought support or information about their children’s mental health during this period, mostly from online sources (61 per cent ), their GP (57 per cent ), or teachers (50 per cent ).
· Twenty five per cent of parents are concerned about their child’s readjustment as society opens up over the next few months.
· Anxiety (60 per cent ), coping strategies (44 per cent ), and isolation and loneliness (41 per cent ) were identified as the top three areas where parents felt they need assistance to support their child’s mental health (similar to 2020 results ). Social media overuse during the pandemic and stress were also identified as areas of concern for parents, with 26 per cent and 27 per cent of parents citing these concerns respectively.
The survey findings also highlighted parents’ worries about their children developing trust issues as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions; both due to changing plans and last-minute cancellations, and lack of trust in themselves and others in adhering to public health guidelines. Lack of physical connection, aggression, lashing out, and establishing and maintaining good relationships with friends and peers were among other worries parents held for their children.
In light of this year’s survey results, Walk in My Shoes will host a free webinar for parents on July 27, exploring how parents can support their children’s mental health, with a specific focus on the top three concerns identified by parents in the survey findings. These include coping strategies, managing children’s anxiety, and supporting children through loneliness and isolation.
Speakers include clinical psychologist and CEO of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Paul Gilligan; Áine Lynch, CEO, National Parents Council; and Cliodhna McDonnell, founder of Doing the Best We Can.
To register for Parents’ Webinar: Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health visit www.walkinmyshoes.ie
