Mental Health is Parents' Top Health Worry
Parents in Leeds worry more about their children's mental wellbeing than any other health issue
Parents in Leeds are worrying more about their children's mental health than physical issues such as obesity or cancer.
“The biggest issue that people come with is self-harm,” says children’s counsellor Sue Brown.
“Then it’s things like self esteem, anger and family breakdowns.”
New research from Action for Children has revealed almost 40 per cent of parents in our region are concerned about the mental wellbeing of their kids.
The charity runs more than 200 children’s centres across the UK, and says over half of its frontline services have seen a rise in support needed by children because of mental or emotional wellbeing problems.
“I once worked with a five-year-old that was self-harming, so obviously it can start very, very young,” says Sue.
“Obviously that’s incredibly worrying for parents, and they don’t really know how to handle it if they suddenly find out that their child’s doing that.”
Child psychologist Dr Paul McArdle agrees that it is a problem.
“What a lot of parents talk to us about is children’s suicidal ideas,” he says.
“Children as young as eight talking about wishing they were dead. And adolescents who self-harm. They’re major issues for us.”
The top three health concerns in Yorkshire were found to be emotional and mental wellbeing, weight and serious illnesses like cancer.
Julie Longworth, Action for Children’s operational director of children’s services across Yorkshire, said help is available: “Our children’s centres provide a place for families to go where children can play and make friends in an environment that promotes emotional wellbeing.
“We have seen for ourselves how giving children and their families the right support early can make a difference to their lives and help them reach their potential.
“With councils facing reduced funds, we are calling for a shift in funding towards early support to help prevent concerns or issues from becoming major problems.”