Supporting children’s mental health The surveys asked children, and parents/ guardians and grandparents several questions about the ways in which children’s mental health was supported over the past two years. This included what children and their families did to support their mental health, and their attitudes to and experiences of receiving help and support from organisations and services outside of their families. Children were also asked about the extent to which their schools supported their mental health and what help, if any, they sought when feeling unsafe at home. 8.1 The role of families in supporting children’s mental health Children were asked if they felt that their family had supported their mental health and wellbeing over the last two years. Although one third of children did not provide an answer to this question, of those who did, most agreed that they felt supported by their family. Figure 22: Children’s survey: did you feel like your family supported your mental health and wellbeing over the last two years? 33% Yes, I felt supported by my family (n=2100) 46% 8 SECTION 88 | 16% The survey indicated feelings of support from family declined as children grew older. 47% of children aged 9–11, 48% of children aged 12–13, 40% of children aged 14–15, and 37% of children aged 16–17 stated that they felt supported by their family. 4% of children aged 9–11 and 8% of children aged 16–17 stated that they did not feel supported by their family. No, I did not feel supported by my family (n=232) I don’t know (n=738) Did not answer question (n=1489) 5% Only 34% of children identifying as non-binary or other reported feeling supported by their family, and 18% stated they did not feel supported. ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 89