Words by Smiley Team
The charity YoungMinds has published the results of a survey with more than 1,850 parents and carers, in which respondents expressed worries about the long-term impact of COVID-19 on their children’s mental health, and described the challenges they face in finding support. The charity published its results as it launched Beyond Tomorrow, a campaign calling on the Government to take action now to limit the long-term impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental health.
The results show that: 67% of respondents agreed that they are concerned about the long-term impact of the coronavirus on their child’s mental health. This rose to 77% among parents and carers whose children had required mental health support in the previous three months.
29% of respondents disagreed that there was enough support (information, helplines and resources) available to help them and their child get through this time. 24% of respondents 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 (through the NHS, private providers, school counsellors, charities and helplines) 25% said that their child was no longer able to access it, but still needed it.
The campaign urges the Government to ensure that young people who need mental health advice can get it, that there is increased support for families, and that schools are able to prioritise children’s wellbeing now and when it is safe for them to reopen. It also calls for continued investment in mental health services as restrictions change, to ensure that young people who have been affected can get ongoing support.
The charity also asked about the top concerns parents and carers had for the children and young people in their care. Many respondents were worried about how young people would transition back to ‘normality’ when lockdown was eased and how this would affect their future. Other respondents talked about the pressure of balancing support for their child’s home-learning with work or other caring responsibilities, or the effect the pandemic was having on their child’s recovery from existing mental health conditions.
One parent commented that ‘My son was having therapy prior to lockdown and was beginning to see positive improvements in his mental health. Since the lockdown he is regressing more and experiencing lower mood.’
Emma Thomas, Chief Executive of YoungMinds, said: “The coronavirus pandemic is the biggest health crisis for generations, and the restrictions the government has put in place have been absolutely necessary.
“The pandemic has also turned the lives of millions of children and young people upside down. 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.
“That’s why the Government needs to take action, to make sure that support is available for young people and families who need it, now and as we emerge from the pandemic.”
For more information you can visit visit www.youngminds.org.uk, follow Young Minds on us on Twitter @YoungMindsUK and Facebook. To access free advice and support for parents, you can call their helpline on 0808 802 5544
By Ellen Jones
