更多家长为压力大的孩子寻求帮助
More parents than ever are turning to professionals to support their children's mental health, a new survey suggests.
An online therapy company questioned almost 1,400 parents in the United States. Nearly 82% said they had looked for professional help for their child at some point, up from 62% the year before. Many included a school counsellor or therapist in their child's support network.
When asked what was causing their children stress, parents most often mentioned problems with friends and classmates. Bullying or being left out came next, followed by heavy schoolwork and pressure to do well. All three were reported more often than in the previous year. Looking further ahead, many parents were also worried about their children getting into university.
The survey also asked what had the most positive effect on children's wellbeing. The answer was surprisingly simple: free, unstructured time, especially spending time with friends and being outdoors.
Experts say parents should look out for changes in their child's mood or behaviour that last for more than a few days, rather than worrying about a single bad day. Teachers and coaches can also notice things that parents miss. And if a child ever talks about feeling hopeless or wanting to hurt themselves, parents should seek professional help immediately.
一项新调查显示，为孩子的心理健康寻求专业帮助的父母比以往任何时候都多。
一家线上心理咨询公司访问了美国近 1400 名家长。将近 82% 的家长说，他们曾经为孩子找过专业帮助，而前一年这个比例是 62%。很多家长都把学校的心理老师或心理治疗师纳入了孩子的支持圈。
问到孩子的压力从哪里来时，家长提到最多的是和朋友、同学相处的问题，其次是被霸凌或被排挤，然后是繁重的课业和要考好的压力。这三项被提到的次数都比前一年多。再往远一点看，很多家长还担心孩子将来能不能上大学。
调查也问了什么对孩子的身心健康最有帮助。答案出奇地简单：自由自在、不被安排的时间，尤其是和朋友在一起、到户外去玩。
专家建议，家长要留意孩子情绪或行为上持续好几天的变化，而不用为某一天心情不好过分担心。老师和教练也可能注意到家长没发现的事情。如果孩子说过觉得没有希望，或者想伤害自己，家长应该立刻寻求专业帮助。