By Tracey Ward, Business Development and Marketing Director at Generali UK Employee Benefits

 

‘You’re only ever as happy as your unhappiest child’. So the saying goes. All children will struggle at one point or another because, after all, we all do as adults. But when normal unhappiness becomes a mental health issue – and when that mental health issue is left untreated – this can not only impact parents’ mental health, but also increase the child’s risk of mental health disorders in adulthood.

Addressing such issues early is key. And some Virtual GP services – either standalone or embedded in employee benefits, such as our Group Income Protection and Group Life – include immediate access to completely confidential Parent and Child Mental Health Consultations. So, it’s worth investigating what you might already have access to, and making employees aware of this valuable support service too.

“Left untreated, childhood issues lead to cumulative disadvantages over time, in terms of job instability or unemployment,” says Alessandra Sorrentino-Lawrence, Clinical Psychologist at Teladoc Health, our Virtual GP and Parent & Child Mental Health Consultation partner. “This can impact relationships on a personal level, and the lack of significant people around you might lead you into some destructive coping mechanisms that will impact your physical health.”

Alessandra recently spoke on this topic as part of one of our regular series of webinars for HR and Line Managers, along with Colin Preece, Clinical Head of Mental Health at Teladoc Health.*

The scale of the problem

One in five children and young people had a probable mental disorder in 2023, according to the latest NHS data available.

And professional support can be difficult to access. The Children’s Commissioner reported last year that almost one million children and young people had active referrals for Mental Health Services in England in 2022-23. And, by 2024, a quarter of a million were still waiting. It reported that many children are experiencing waits of at least two years. And the most common reason for a referral for mental health treatment is cited as anxiety.

Getting timely support for parents and children is vital when you consider that it could reduce mental health problems in the early years, but also minimise and even prevent developmental outcomes in adulthood, according to research.

On top of that, it can help reduce the worry that working parents who are going through such problems with a child will undoubtedly feel; worries that will undoubtedly show up in work and, even absence.

Alessandra explains that the long-term consequences of untreated mental health issues include:

  • Increased risk of mental health disorders in adulthood (e.g. anxiety and depression)
  • Lower educational and occupational achievement. In later life, this can translate into job instability, unemployment and other difficulties.
  • Physical health implications such as chronic illness. “We know that emotional distress can suppress the immune response and increase general vulnerability,” adds Alessandra.

“Children experiencing difficulties with their MH can face difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships. They might struggle with emotional regulation, communication and conflict resolution. They may socially isolate themselves from their peers and experience feelings of low self-worth. The cumulative effect of all this will lead to lower overall life satisfaction. It also raises the potential for drug or alcohol abuse in later life,” explains Alessandra.

Then, of course, there’s the parent’s perspective to consider. When a child struggles, a parent struggles. This can show up as stress, guilt, anxiety. Parents might need to attend frequent school meetings, or GP appointments. The strain on work life balance can lead to absenteeism or presenteeism. All this also increases the risk of parental depression, relationship difficulties, and an impact on work is inevitable, says Alessandra.

What does a supportive workplace look like?

It’s made up of awareness, observation, communication, regular check-ins and flexible working policies. It’s important to provide some accessible support, such as access to Employee Assistance Programmes, access to Telehealth support (such as Parent and Child Mental Health Consultations), workshops and mental health awareness training – not only to enlarge the network around parents, but also to fight stigma and make mental health a real priority.

What’s involved in a Parent and Child Mental Health Consultation?

It’s a direct psychological intervention for parents and children; a confidential space where parents and children can explore their difficulties with professional guidance.

For example,

  • Child developmental awareness session, to help the parent understand each developmental stage – the specific challenges at each stage and how to navigate them
  • Parenting skills training, offering strategies for effective communication, positive discipline and balancing work life demands. Also, tailored support to navigate unique challenges, such as single parenting, co-parenting, blended families, divorce, relocation

Alessandra adds: “We offer direct and indirect psychological interventions, depending on the age of the child. The rationale behind the age is important, because we know that children aged 10 upwards typically have enough maturity on an emotional, cognitive and psychological level to engage in the therapeutic process and to process their emotions. So, for children of this age, we would offer direct support where, for example, we could help them to manage their anxiety, learn coping strategies or, in general, develop social skills or gain psychoeducation for mental health.

“For those children under the age of 10, we can still provide support, but through indirect interventions. We believe that children below the age of 10 do not have enough maturity to engage in the therapeutic process. Therefore, we will help them via the support system around them; parents, caregivers or teachers. We’re still helping the child, but we’re doing it in a familiar environment. This helps the child feel confident and safe while learning new dynamics.”

*To access a free recording of the full webinar, entitled ‘Parent and child mental health support: A workplace essential’, please email eb.enquiries@generali.co.uk

 

Disclaimer:

All information contained herein represents the views and opinions of the author as of the date of writing and is provided for general information only. Nothing herein constitutes or is intended to constitute financial or other form of advice and no individual should rely upon the information provided in making a specific investment decision without first seeking independent professional advice.

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