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- In 2021, we collaborated with Special Services for Children and Youth (SSCY), St. Amant, Manitoba Adolescent Treatment Centre (MATC), and KIDTHINK to send out a public survey to Manitoba caregivers of children ages 0 to 12 who require additional emotional, developmental, and/or behavioural support needs. The purpose of this survey was to gather insights into parenting experiences and challenges, the state of mental health of these caregivers, experiences in seeking mental health supports, and their outstanding support needs.
- Caregivers were eligible for the 30-minute survey if they were 18 years old or older and had a child between the ages of 0 and 12 years of age on the waitlist or accessing services at a local Manitoban organization.
- 78% of caregivers reported a high number of challenging behaviours in their children. 48.3% presented elevated depression symptoms, 29.7% presented elevated anxiety symptoms, and 30% had symptoms of both anxiety and depression. 65.2% of parents experienced high levels of parenting stress.
- Slightly under half (44.4%) accessed services with 71.4% believing they needed it and 46.4% believing it would help. One parent said “I needed someone to validate my feelings and let me know what I was feeling was normal or I wasn’t the only one feeling this way.”
- Parents reported that affordability, more providers with flexibility, and childcare availability would make accessing services easier.
- Of those that had not accessed services, 68.4% had an interest in services. Barriers to service included not having time or energy (56.5%) or finding services too costly (52.2%).
- Many caregivers of young children with additional support needs are struggling and are having a difficult time accessing services due to multiple factors. Yet, there are clear ways services can be improved to support accessibility, including reducing costs, providing more flexibility in scheduling, and providing childcare. Future directions include replicating this study to validate the conclusions.
