Parents and carers play a critical role in supporting the wellbeing of their young people as they navigate adolescence and, in many cases, mental health challenges. This report explores the concerns that parents and carers have for the young people they care for, how parents and carers are currently seeking parenting advice, and the support they need in order to feel equipped to best assist their young people through these challenging times.

Parents and carers expressed a need for greater access to quality, trusted information and increased knowledge about how to get support for the young people they care for. They also identified improved access to professional advice and services as a key support need.

Parents and carers report that their top concerns are young people’s use of social media (59%), their futures (56%), school, study and exam stress (52%), and mental health (50%).

The report also shows that parents and carers are turning more often to their friends and other parents (51%) and the internet (43%), than to professional mental health services (39%) or GPs or doctors (38%), when seeking support for the issues impacting their young people. However, despite seeking help, more than 80 per cent of parents and carers reported that their needs weren’t fully met in the last 12 months.