68% parents demand mandatory mental and emotional health counselling in schools: Report

With mental health becoming a cause for concern even among the young, a survey by mental health platform, LISSUN has revealed that 68% of parents believe that schools must introduce mandatory, regular counselling sessions at an early age. This can go a long way to ensure children’s safe and managed emotional and mental development. 

The report is the result of a pan-India survey conducted across 10,000 individuals to examine parental awareness and attitudes towards children’s mental health, according to a press statement. It highlights the growing concern among Indian parents about their children’s mental wellbeing in an increasingly digital and high-pressure environment.

Importantly, the survey points out that 48% of parents feel neutral or unsure about identifying signs of mental illness in their children. 

The findings indicate a critical gap in parental awareness, highlighting the need for proactive mental and emotional health education and support structures. 

Among the main factors affecting children’s mental and emotional well-being, 35.8% of parents listed social media and peer pressure, followed by academic pressure (27.4%), bullying (20.8%), and family-related stress (11.3%). 

The survey also revealed that other mental health challenges, such as depression, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), and learning disabilities, are notably impacting children.

The study shows that 27.4% of parents want schools to appoint dedicated counsellors, while 25.5% advocate for regular mental health awareness programs for students. 

Workshops for parents and stress management activities for children were suggested by 20.8% of respondents each while 40% of parents admitted that they rarely talk to their kids about their mental and emotional wellbeing.

The survey threw up another interesting fact: 48.1% of parents believe their children spend excessive time on screens, with many turning to online sources for mental health guidance. 

Commenting on the survey, Dr Krishna Veer Singh, Co-founder and CEO of LISSUN, said, “Our latest study reveals some alarming data on lack of awareness amongst parents about identifying and dealing with mental health challenges by their children,  spotlighting a pressing need to integrate mental health support within educational ecosystems.”