CHICAGO, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent national
survey conducted by Action for Healthy Kids found that
parents and caregivers of school-aged youth share worries about
time spent on electronics, physical safety at school and their
child's mental health. Parents surveyed overwhelmingly support the
idea of schools providing resources to support their child's
emotional and mental health and programs that promote
inclusion.
Survey: Nearly 80% of parents believe
schools should provide an employed mental health professional at
their school.
The Parent and Child Mental Health Survey asked more than
1,000 parents and caregivers from across the country what worries
them most about their children's health and what would help resolve
those concerns. The survey was designed to understand parents'
perceptions of safe and supportive school environments and schools'
role in providing support and resources for youth mental
health.
Key findings include:
- Nearly two-thirds of parents want training to better understand
and support their child's mental health and well-being.
- Nearly 80% of parents believe schools should provide an
employed mental health professional at their school.
- Nearly 70% of parents indicated that their child feels safe and
supported at school when there is at least one trusted adult they
can talk to.
- 95% of parents support schools including programs that promote
diversity and inclusion and teach social skills, such as respect,
cooperation, perseverance and empathy.
- The majority of parents responded that a safe and supportive
school environment was associated with transparent communications,
engaged school counselors and social workers, emotional social
skills and physical safety.
- The biggest obstacle for kids getting help with mental health
at school, according to parents, is the child themself thinking
they do not need it.
"It's clear from our latest survey that while parents are deeply
concerned about their children's mental health and safety at
school, there's a significant demand for more resources to address
these issues," says Rob Bisceglie,
Executive Officer & President at Action for Healthy Kids. "We
must prioritize creating environments where all students feel safe,
supported, and understood, and parents need to know that they're
not alone."
While a majority of the respondents shared top concerns about
mental health, physical safety at school and time on electronics,
there were some reported differences among ethnic and racial groups
and across grade levels:
- Parents identifying as Black/African American and Hispanic were
more likely to report being worried more about their child
experiencing racism at school. Of the parents surveyed, 58% of
those identifying as Black/African American and 45% of those
identifying as Hispanic reported being worried about their child
experiencing racism at school, whereas 22% of those identifying as
White worried about their child experiencing racism at school.
- Parents of high school students were more likely to worry about
school violence than parents of middle school and elementary
students. Of the parents surveyed, 74% of high school parents
reported being worried about a student or another individual
bringing a weapon to school, compared to 64% of middle school
parents and 63% of elementary school parents.
- Parents who identify as Black/African American and Hispanic
were more likely than White parents to be concerned about their
child being behind academically. Of the parents surveyed, 56% of
parents identifying as Black/African American and 54% of parents
identifying as Hispanic reported being concerned about their child
being behind academically, compared to 40% of parents identifying
as White.
- Parents of high school students were more likely to report
being worried about their child struggling with mental health. Of
the parents surveyed, 69% of high school parents reported being
worried about their child struggling with mental health, whereas
63% of elementary school parents and 64% of middle school parents
reported being worried about their child struggling with mental
health.
"We're seeing what parents are seeing. Despite the need,
school-based mental health services are not always readily
available. This is why it is critical that schools are increasing
their focus on strategies that prevent mental and behavioral health
problems," said Dr. Kathleen Ethier,
CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health Director.
This is the first in a series of surveys exploring parents'
mindsets commissioned by Action for Healthy Kids in partnership
with the CDC Foundation. Download the full Parent and Child
Mental Health Survey.
Action for Healthy Kids is using these findings to create free
resources for parents, including fact sheets, conversation
starters, videos, blog posts, targeted social media posts, webinars
and a digital resource library.
"Our kids need to feel safe and supported at home and at
school," said Catherine Zilber, Vice
President for Infectious Disease Programs at the CDC Foundation.
"The findings from this survey highlight that parents want training
so they can better understand and support their child's mental
health and well-being. By providing parents and caregivers with
free resources, they can acquire the knowledge and skills necessary
to create a nurturing environment that promotes positive mental
health for their children."
ABOUT THE SURVEY
Action for Healthy Kids conducted a 48-question online survey of
1,016 parents and guardians across the U.S., from both rural and
non-rural areas, with children enrolled in public K-12 schools. The
survey was fielded in English and Spanish in December 2023. This survey represents the first
wave of the project.
This project on Improving Mental, Behavioral and Academic
Supports to Students and Families, Part 2 is supported by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial
assistance award totaling $434,555
with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the
author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of,
nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S.
Government.
ABOUT ACTION FOR HEALTHY KIDS
Action for Healthy Kids is dedicated to improving children's
health and well-being by bringing together and mobilizing
educators, families, and other key stakeholders to help children
lead healthy lives. Through its core programming and family-school
partnerships, Action for Healthy Kids has impacted more than 20
million children in 55,000 schools nationwide to address systemic
challenges in underserved communities. To learn more about its
growing network of volunteers and champions, visit
actionforhealthykids.org.
Media contact:
Lynda Carlisle
Lcarlisle@cs-effect.com
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SOURCE Action For Healthy Kids