Mental & Emotional Health

Over 60% parents would definitely talk with the doctor if their school-age child were extremely sad for more than a month. Only half would definitely discuss temper tantrums or anxiety, and just over one third would discuss trouble organizing schoolwork.

81% of adults say schools should take action if a student embarrasses or humiliates another student. 76% of adults believe schools should take action if a student spreads rumors about another student. 56% of adults believe schools should take action if a student isolates another student socially.

About one-third of parents give primary schools an “A” for providing support for kids with behavioral, emotional or family problems. Less than one-quarter of parents give secondary schools an “A”.

Only 1 in 3 parents give secondary schools an “A” for providing a safe place for students overall; in contrast, 3 in 5 parents give primary schools an “A”. Only 1 in 4 parents give secondary schools an “A” for prevention of bullying and school violence; just 2 in 5 parents give primary schools an “A”.

For 44% of families, the financial situation has gotten worse over the past 6 months. 40% of parents report that their children age 5-17 have stress as a result of worries about their family's money. To make ends meet, 11% of parents who report a worse financial situation have delayed taking their children to the doctor.

56% of parents say that their children's primary care doctor never asks whether they have concerns about their children's mental health. 1 out of 4 parents have used specialty mental health services for their children. 1 out of 5 parents have children with a mental health diagnosis.

39% of families with children age 6-13 have one or more overweight or obese children. Bullying is rated as the top health concern for children by parents of children age 6-13 who are either overweight or obese. 30% of parents with overweight or obese children age 6-13 do not set limits on TV, video or computer games.