Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities (known as parent carers) experience higher rates of mental health problems and an unmet need for treatment compared with other parents. This study aimed to gain an understanding of the current pathways and barriers to treatment for mental health problems in parent carers in England. Method Online, cross-sectional surveys were completed by two separate groups: parent carers and health, social care, and education professionals in England. Parent carers were asked about experiences of seeking or receiving mental health services and support. Professionals responded to questions about assessing, referring, signposting, or treating parent carers’ mental health. Results Parent carers from across all seven National Health Service (NHS) regions of England took part (n=498). A further 295 professionals participated. Most parent carers had not been asked about their mental health by a professional (58%) or assessed (52%). Seventy-eight percent of parent carers had not received a statutory carer’s assessment. Fifty percent of respondents reported finding and paying privately for mental health interventions. Most professionals (90%) considered it their role to recognise mental health problems in parent carers, with 87% reporting having referred parent carers elsewhere for support. Qualitative analysis of open text survey responses pointed to some of the barriers to accessing support, which included limited time for appointments, parents’ previous negative experiences of services, lack of tailored services; practical barriers such as childcare; and the perceived risk involved in disclosing mental health concerns as a parent carer. Conclusion Despite the increased risk of mental health problems among parent carers, their regular contact with health and social care professionals did not always lead them to access appropriate mental health assessment and support, even when these professionals perceive a personal duty to identify such needs. Further research is needed to identify ways to improve pathways to mental health services.</p>