Mental & Emotional Health

Mothers are more likely than fathers to label actions as cyberbullying. One in five parents believe students who post online rumors about sex should be referred to law enforcement. Online rumors about cheating on a test are viewed by parents as less serious than online rumors about sex.

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.