Survey finds that 20% of parents have sought support for their children’s mental health during the pandemic
Online event for parents will address children’s mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic
Dublin (13 July, 2021)
A recent survey has shown that almost 20% 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% 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% of parents who responded to the survey had children aged between five and 12 years.
The survey was issued to over 9,000 parents on the National Parents Council Primary network and was completed between 8 June and 30 June. 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 to 12.
Findings revealed that:
- Approximately 55% of parents are concerned about the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their children’s mental health
- Almost 20% of children received some form of mental health support over the course of the pandemic (private counselling (6%), HSE community supports (3.5%), school counsellor (2.7%), local clubs (2%), other supports (6%)).
- 30% of parents sought support or information about their children’s mental health during this period, mostly from online sources (61%), their GP (57%), or teachers (50%).
- 25% of parents are concerned about their child’s readjustment as society opens-up over the next few months
- Anxiety (60%), coping strategies (44%) and isolation and loneliness (41%) 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% and 27% 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 27 July, 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’ please visit www.walkinmyshoes.ie.
Speaking on the survey results, Paul Gilligan, CEO, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services said: “Children’s mental health has been a serious concern for everyone throughout this pandemic, so it is understandable that up to 55% of parents worry about the long-term impact of restrictions on their children. It is important, therefore, that parents feel reassured that support is available and that overall young people have shown incredible strength and resilience during this time.
“The next step is to use these findings to inform how we support parents and children going forward. Walk in My Shoes will be holding a free webinar for parents and guardians that will address some of the main concerns highlighted including anxiety, coping strategies and loneliness and isolation.”
Speaking about the survey findings, Aine Lynch, CEO, National Parents Council said: “While the results of this survey have illustrated an understandable level of concern about children’s mental health among parents, it has also shown that parents are actively seeking and engaging in ways to support their child’s mental health at this time and to address their concerns, whether that be online via mental health websites or through a GP, teacher or friends and family.
We are pleased to once again partner with Walk in My Shoes for this important piece of research that can inform how we, as a society and as individual organisations, can support and guide parents as they help their child navigate the current landscape to which we are all adapting.”
Visit www.walkinmyshoes.ie for downloadable resources, articles and tips for supporting children’s mental health in the ongoing pandemic. For more information on the upcoming webinar for parents, visit www.walkinmyshoes.ie.
For more information about the National Parents Council, visit www.npc.ie
For further information contact;
Sinéad Makk, Senior Communications Officer, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
Email: smakk@stpatsmail.com; Tel: 01 249 3540
Fiona Farrell, Communications Manager, St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
Email: ffarrell@stpatsmail.com;
Editor’s Notes
Walk in My Shoes is St Patrick’s Mental Health Services’ flagship awareness and education campaign. Established in 2012, Walk in My Shoes runs initiatives throughout the year to promote positive mental health in schools and communities around Ireland, including the Mission Possible school achievement awards, the Frame of Mind short film competition, #MindYourSelfie free eBooks and School Resources, and the Transition Year Programme. For more, please visit www.walkinmyshoes.ie, or follow us on Twitter (@walkinmyshoes), Facebook (WalkInMyShoes) or Instagram (@stpatricks_wims).
In the 2020/21 academic year Walk in My Shoes will run an online Transition Year Programme. Applications will open in early July. For further information visit on www.walkinmyshoes.ie
About St Patrick’s Mental Health Services
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services is Ireland’s largest independent, not-for-profit mental health service provider, providing inpatient and homecare through its three approved centres; St Patrick’s University Hospital, St Patrick’s Lucan and Willow Grove Adolescent Unit, as well as community and outpatient care through its nationwide Dean Clinic network.
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services provides a range of mental health services for adolescents and adults and offers remote access to all services. This includes a homecare service, offering the highest quality assessment and treatment, delivered to service users remotely, as an alternative to admission to an inpatient facility.
The organisation’s mental health services cater for addictions and dual diagnosis, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, eating disorders, psychosis, mental health difficulties in older adults as well as in young adults.
St Patrick’s Mental Health Services also operates a confidential Support and Information Service, staffed by experienced mental health nurses from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with an answering and call-back facility outside hours. Call 01 249 3333 or email info@stpatsmail.com
Twitter @stpatricks
Facebook @StPatricksMHS
Instagram stpatricks_wims
About National Parents Council
National Parents Council Primary (NPC) is the representative organisation for parents of children in primary or early education. NPC was established as a charitable organisation in 1985, under the programme for Government, as the representative organisation for parents of children attending primary school. It received statutory recognition in the Education Act 1998. NPC’s vision is for an Ireland where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Their key activities include representing the parents’ voice in primary education, advocacy and building participation.
Helpline
The NPC helpline is a national confidential service for parents. The helpline staff listen and give information and support to parents to help them make the best possible decisions for and with their children.
For further information on the NPC and its helpline and training and development programme, visit www.npc.ie
