Section 8: Supporting children’s mental health 8.3 Experiences of getting help and support The survey asked children if they had ever had help for their mental health or wellbeing. They could select from multiple choice answers whether they had received help in the past, are getting help now, had never had help, or didn’t know if they had received help. In total, 23% of children stated they ‘had received help’—15% selected ‘in the past’, 6% selected they were ‘getting help now’, and 2% selected both answers. 36% of children stated they ‘had never received help’, 15% did not know, and 27% of children did not respond to the question. Figure 24: Children’s survey: have you had help for your mental health and wellbeing? 27% 36% 15% 2% 6% 15% I have never had help (n=1640) I have had help in the past (n=705) I am getting help now (n=254) I am getting help now, and have had help in the past (n=81) I don’t know (n=665) Did not answer question (n=1214) Of the 25 children who reported difficulties in receiving help, the survey asked what barriers may have been present. The three most commonly selected barriers were: Parents/guardians and grandparents who completed the survey on behalf of their child were asked the same question. 20% said their child was getting help currently, 30% said their child received help in the past, 38% said their child had never had help, 2% stated that they didn’t know, and 10% did not respond to the question. 1. Fear of people finding out and judging my problems 2. Not being able to get an appointment or long waiting lists (a) Barriers to getting help The 81 children who indicated they had received help, both in the past and now, also told us whether their experience of getting help was difficult or not. 25 children stated that it was difficult to get help, 36 stated it wasn’t hard, and 20 stated that they didn’t know whether it was hard or not. Figure 25: Children’s survey: why was it hard for you to get help? select all that apply Fear of people finding out and judging my problems 16 Not being able to get an appointment or long waiting lists 15 Not feeling like I was understood when I asked for help 14 Feeling scared or worried 14 Feeling embarrassed or silly 11 Feeling like I should be able to handle it myself 11 Costs too much money to get help 7 Something else 7 Not knowing where to go for help 6 5 Hard to find information Too far to travel to get help 94 | 3. Feeling scared or worried, and not feeling like I was understood when I asked for help 3 ‘Mental health shapes my life’: COVID-19 & kids’ wellbeing • 2022 | 95