A manager’s guide to supporting young people’s mental health
Managers can play a significant role in supporting employees who care for children with mental health challenges.
One in five children and young people in England aged eight to 25 had a probable mental disorder in 2023, according to NHS England.
But how can children’s mental health impact parents or caregivers while at work?
Impacts on parents and caregivers
Parents and caregivers can feel worried about their children’s mental health and wellbeing which may make the stresses of work more difficult to cope with.
The teenage years can be a particularly challenging time, with stresses around exams, relationships, friends, family, and sometimes bullying. For teenagers, emotions can at times feel intense.
This can cause parents and caregivers to feel distracted by worry or stress about their child’s wellbeing which can lead to reduced productivity and performance.
It could make work seem like a chore and almost compete with their priorities at home.
If their worries and stress feel too much, they may need to take time off to either look after their child or cope with their own mental health as a result.
Consideration for employers
Naturally, parents and caregivers will at some point worry about their children’s mental health while they’re at work.
But how important is it for organisations and managers to offer support to employees caring for a child with a mental health challenge?
Young people’s mental health is not only an issue for children and their parents or caregivers.
It needs to be considered by employers and companies too as it can impact productivity.
Those stressful issues felt at home can have a huge effect at work which can lead to increased absence rates, reduced performance and illness.
Parents, guardians, and caregivers who feel supported by their employer may be more likely to be able to concentrate, function and perform to the best of their ability in the workplace.
It can also make employees feel loyal to the company, cared for, valued, and understood – which can help to avoid employees reducing their hours, being absent or leaving their roles.
Employers must have the right resources, help and support in place so that employees can be signposted to get helpful advice on caring for children with mental health challenges while functioning at work.
Caregiver burnout
While parents, guardians and caregivers support their children, they may need support from their managers and employers too.
Individuals may experience ‘caregiver burnout’ which refers to the physical, emotional and exhaustion which can be brought on when caring for others. Caregivers can also be more likely to experience symptoms of depression or anxiety.
For example, single parents can have the burden of not being able to feel supported by a partner to shield them from some of the tough times that they’ve had to face.
At times, parents are putting themselves at the bottom of their list of priorities and could start to experience symptoms of poor mental health if they feel unable to put themselves first or have restful periods.
As a line manager, if you’re unaware or avoid conversations about how to support parents and guardians caring for children, you may struggle to understand their needs.
Ultimately, it may impact their work if they’re struggling to perform their role. If line managers offer or signpost support, it can help to reduce presenteeism and absenteeism and improve productivity.
By helping parents and caregivers thrive in the workplace, they can feel valued by their employer and cared for.
Support in the workplace
Line managers need to get to know their employees to help understand any challenges at home and how or where they could provide or offer support – this involves actively engaging in conversations and listening to any concerns.
There are other ways managers can support parents and caregivers in the workplace, including:
- Reasonable adjustments to their working life, such as working from home on certain days
- Creating an open culture around mental health in the workplace to raise awareness and challenge stigma – particularly around working parents and carers
- Signposting to mental health services, such as an employee assistance program (EAP) – if you have one
For more support, download Bupa’s guide for managers on Supporting employees with their children’s mental health.
In partnership with Bupa
Bupa's purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.
