2022 State of Youth Mental Health Report

Survey Finds That Majority of Parents Have Seen Their Children Face Significant Mental and Emotional Challenges During The Covid-19 Pandemic

LifeStance Health (NASDAQ: LFST), one of the nation’s largest providers of outpatient mental health care, is committed to reimagining mental health care.

We believe that researching, gathering, and reporting up-to-date data and information about challenges faced by individuals with mental health problems is essential.

In March 2022 we released the State of Youth Mental Health Report, a nationwide survey by LifeStance with OnePoll that explores how parents are addressing their children’s mental health. The survey of 2,000 American parents found that the majority are grappling with the mental health implications of the pandemic on their children and looking for solutions.

68% of American parents have seen their children face significant mental and emotional challenges.

These include:

  • Heading back to in-person school – 44%
  • Adjusting to remote learning – 38%
  • Grieving the loss of loved ones – 28%

50% of parents believe that missing life milestones, such as participating in graduation ceremonies and birthday parties, has negatively impacted their child’s mental health.

63% of parents have sought a therapist for themselves, their children, or entire family.

Top 5 Challenges Parents Have Faced In The Pandemic    

  • Work – 45%
  • School – 41%
  • Making new friends – 36%
  • Remote learning – 35%
  • Grieving the loss of a loved one – 31%

Top 5 Challenges Children Have Faced In The Pandemic   

  • School – 44%
  • Remote learning – 38%
  • Making new friends – 30%
  • Grieving the loss of a loved one – 28%
  • Moving – 28%

Top Reasons Parents Sought Therapy For Their Child

  • Child’s lack of socialization – 47%
  • Showing signs of depression or anxiety – 45%
  • Losing interest in their favorite activities – 40%

Most Important Things Parents Look For In A Therapist

  • Someone who can address their child’s mental health symptoms – 42%
  • Someone who can offer both virtual and in-person sessions – 33%
  • Someone who can improve their relationship as a family – 32%

The research found it takes the average child five therapy sessions before they start to feel comfortable with their therapist.

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Parents See The Benefits Of Therapy

  • 84% of parents who have sought help said their family now openly talks about their therapy sessions
  • 37% believe that therapy has helped them feel closer to their family than ever before
  • 44% felt they have a good support network established within their family and friends to help them support their child’s mental health
  • 49% of parents rejoiced that therapy has given them a better understanding of how to navigate through difficult situations that may arise in the future

Key Coping Tools Learned In Therapy

  • Meditation – Parents: 49%, Children: 32%
  • Doing relaxing activities – Parents: 45%, Children: 47%
  • Exercise – Parents: 40%, Children: 41%

Ways That Parents Help Their Children Cope With Stress

  • Be honest and open – 49%
  • Talk about what’s bothering them – 46%
  • Do fun activities together – 44%

Parents See Success In These Coping Tactics

  • 90% of parents who help their child cope with their stress using these tactics have found it successful
  • 69% said they’ve felt more attuned to their child’s mental health during the pandemic
  • 71% added they’re knowledgeable about their child’s mental health state
  • 50% talk to their child about mental health at least a few times a week, if not daily
  • 72% believe their child feels comfortable coming to them with any issue

Children in Crisis

Authored By 

LifeStance Health

LifeStance is a mental healthcare company focused on providing evidence-based, medically driven treatment services for children, adolescents, and adults.