“For many parents this was eye-opening and revealed the need to focus on mental health.”
“Parents gained greater insight into their child’s behavior and moods, how they interact with peers and teachers,” says Champion. In addition, more and more people in the public eye are sharing their personal mental health experiences as well, which can help inspire young people to open up and seek out the help they need. Since early intervention is key to helping young people manage their mental health, these changes are positive developments. More than two-thirds of American parents believe children should be introduced to wellness and mental health awareness in primary or middle school, according to a new Global Learner Survey from Pearson. Parents are encouraging this support too. She adds that mental health support for young people is being more widely promoted, and kids and teens have greater access to resources, from their school counselors to support organizations. “Today we see more people talking about mental health openly-in a way that is more akin to physical health,” says Champion. Such statistics demand attention and action, which is why experts say destigmatizing mental health and talking about it is so important.
