Children in crisis: more than a third of UK children receiving or seeking mental health support

Children and young people are facing unprecedented levels of psychological strain, according to a new study of 2,000 UK parents commissioned by Towergate Insurance (soon to be Everywhen).

The report uncovers a growing mental health crisis among the youngest generations of Brits, with the vast majority of parents now sounding the alarm.

When asked whether they believe young people today are under more psychological pressure, such as anxiety, than they were at the same age, 4 in 5 (80%) British parents said yes.

Social media pressure topped the list of what parents believe is driving this crisis, with 69% identifying it as a major cause of anxiety in their children’s lives. Bullying, both online and offline, was the second most cited factor (58%), followed by academic pressure and exams (50%).

Cost-of-living pressures (41%) and fears about future careers and failure (38%) were also frequently mentioned. In fact, only 3% of British parents said none of these factors were causing their children anxiety.

The growing scale of the mental health challenge is reflected in the number of children already accessing professional support. With more than a third of parents (36%) saying their child has either had help from a therapist, counsellor, or psychologist, or has asked to do so.

Meanwhile, nearly a quarter of British parents (24%) said their child hasn’t had therapy but believe they would benefit from it.

However, with the surge in demand for professional support comes concern over standards.

Nearly 4 in 10 parents (39%) said they worry about whether therapists working with children are adequately insured to protect both themselves and the people they treat – a signal that many are seeking reassurance and transparency in the sector.

And the desire for professional accountability is clear. A resounding 80% of all parents believe therapists and mental health professionals should be required to prove their insurance cover before treating minors and that it should be a prerequisite to starting treatment.

As mental health becomes a top priority for families across British households, Diane Caplehorn, Head of Partnerships, at Towergate Insurance said: “With mental health now firmly recognised as a top priority for families across the UK, it is more important than ever for parents to feel confident when seeking professional support for their child or children.

“As more young people are reaching out for help, and more parents are embracing that need, ensuring therapists are properly insured isn’t just a legal box-tick, it is a vital layer of protection.

“Robust insurance policies don’t just protect the professional; they also safeguard the patient, giving parents peace of mind at what can be a vulnerable and emotional time.

“In a world where children’s mental health support is more needed and more accepted, than ever before, compliant care and transparency must go hand in hand.”