What are parents worrying about the most?

The most common issues of concern for parents and carers in Australia have been highlighted by a new report.

The report by mental health service ReachOut also identified the issues that are having the greatest mental health impacts on young people, and where parents and carers are turning for support.

Based on a nationally representative survey of over 630 parents and carers, caring for over 920 young people aged 12–18 (April 2023), the report found the following key issues of concern for parents and carers:

• Social media (59%)
• The future (56%)
• School, study and exam stress (52%)
• Mental health (50%)
   

Other parent and carer concerns included their young person’s sleep, diet and exercise (43%), smoking or vaping (24%), and drug or alcohol use (20%).

The issues reported to have the greatest impact on young people’s mental health and wellbeing (although less frequently experienced by families) were:

• Domestic violence (61% who selected this as a top issue reported it having ‘a lot’ of impact on the wellbeing of their young person).
• Change in the family — such as death or divorce (60% who selected this as a top issue reported that it had ‘a lot’ of impact on the wellbeing of their young person).
• Neurodiversity (60% who selected this as a top issue reported that it had ‘a lot’ of impact on the wellbeing of their young person).
   

Loneliness was also viewed as a leading negative influence on the wellbeing of young people — 81% of parents and carers who reported this as a top issue reported it had ‘a lot’ or ‘quite a bit’ of impact on the wellbeing of their young person.

When it comes to seeking support for the issues impacting their young people, the report found that parents and carers are turning to their friends and other parents (51%) and the internet (43%) more than to GPs or doctors (38%).

And, despite needing support, more than 80% of parents and carers reported that their support needs weren’t completely met in the last 12 months.

Parents and carers expressed a need for greater access to quality, trusted information and increased knowledge about how to get support for the young people they care for. Greater access to professional advice and services was also identified by parents and carers as a key support need.

Interim CEO of ReachOut Jackie Hallan said that the new report provides important insights into the issues that families are facing and the support that they need.

“Parents and carers play a critical role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people as they navigate challenges in their lives such as social media, study stress, mental health and family issues.

“However, ReachOut’s new research identifies a gap between what parents need and the support they are accessing.

“It’s vital that we let parents and carers know that support is available and easy to access. We want to encourage parents and carers to access ReachOut Parents’ free services, including expert parenting advice and parenting coaching. ReachOut Parents also provides pathways to further support for families if they need it,” she said.

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