Many American children struggling with mental health challenges do not receive optimal care, and it's exacerbating the damaging ripple effect on working parents and their employers, according to global health company The Cigna Group (NYSE: CI). A new report by the Evernorth Research Institute details the increasing significance of the youth mental health crisis, the challenges parents face, and provides a roadmap of specific steps employers can take to better support today's workforce.    

"The youth mental health crisis continues to grow, and it is taking a significant toll on kids, parents, families and their communities," said David M. Cordani, chairman and CEO, The Cigna Group. "To foster a vital, thriving society, we must change the trajectory of the mental health crisis and address the human and economic toll at its very core. In collaboration with employers, we have the unique ability to curb the crisis by more effectively engaging parents and children quickly and seamlessly and fostering workplaces that are supportive of family mental health."

Many young people are not receiving the full spectrum of behavioral health care

The number of young people with mental health conditions has increased 28% since 2018, and the number of young people with at least two mental health diagnoses has risen 48% over the same period. More than one in four parents report having a child with mental health challenges, diagnosed or undiagnosed.

More young people than ever are receiving treatment for mental health issues. However, treatment patterns show many young people are receiving partial treatment, fragmented treatment, and some are not obtaining treatment at all. One in five youths did not receive any type of treatment within three months of an initial behavioral health diagnosis, which can result in additional challenges, such as increased severity of mental health conditions, impacts to physical health, and behavioral issues at home and school.

Just under a third (29%) were receiving both medication and therapy, and a significant number of young people were treated with medication only. Yet the research shows young people who receive therapy and medication have better medication adherence compared to those who receive medication only.

Working parents struggling to tend to their child's mental health needs and their own

More than half of working parents (55%) experienced challenges obtaining behavioral health care for their child, and 36% reported that access barriers were the reason their child was not receiving counseling or therapy services. According to the research, working parents reported difficulties finding a provider, getting an appointment within a reasonable timeframe, and affording care. Not receiving the right care when needed often results in poorer health outcomes, escalated costs, and an inability for children and parents to engage at home, school or work, and the community.

"Behind every young person, every prescription, and every appointment is often a parent trying to help their child feel better," said Eva Borden, president of behavioral health, Evernorth Health Services. "The significant emotional burden parents and caregivers carry manifests into stress and anxiety that impacts life at home, at work, and in the community. This research is a call to action for employers to strengthen their approach to parental support and behavioral health care to drive measurable, improved health outcomes – with the goal of changing the trajectory of the crisis."

Employers can do more to make it easier for parents to care for family mental health needs and help optimize their workforces

Parents of children with mental health challenges said the top ways employers can help are by providing access to enhanced behavioral provider networks, time off for appointments, and options for virtual behavioral care. On average, working parents of a child with mental health challenges spend 7.7 hours per week managing their child's needs. They also report up to four workdays per month are disrupted by starting late, leaving early, or missing days to tend to activities related to their child's mental health. 

According to the Evernorth analysis, four areas of opportunity for employers to drive better behavioral health outcomes for young people and parents are care delivery, customization, culture, and community engagement.

The report "For a Healthy Workforce, Curbing The Youth Mental Health Crisis Is Imperative" is based on an analysis from the Evernorth Research Institute, which examined trends in youth mental health conditions based on claims data for more than 20 million commercially insured people under age 26. Evernorth also surveyed more than 1,500 U.S. parents and more than 1,000 U.S. parents of children who have mental health challenges in February 2024.

This research builds on previous research commissioned by The Cigna Group tracking the scope and scale of the youth mental health crisis. The Cigna Group has increased the number of behavioral health specialists within its Cigna Healthcare and Evernorth Health Services businesses who specialize in treating younger people by 54% since 2021.

The Cigna Group Foundation Announces Commitment to Post-Pandemic Acute Stress

The company also recently announced a new, multiyear philanthropic and community engagement program to improve youth mental health with a key focus on post-pandemic acute stress and distress. The program will support a range of community organizations through foundation grants, corporate giving, employee matching, and volunteerism.

The Cigna Group Foundation will prioritize grants in regions where The Cigna Group serves a significant number of customers with high and very high social determinant of health risks, including Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas, and targeted international communities. The grant application window is open through May 22, 2024, and nonprofits that specialize in supporting youth mental health and well-being are encouraged to apply.