Most Florida parents say youth mental health requires more than a quick fix or single solution

The vast majority of Floridians and Florida parents say there is no silver bullet to fixing the youth mental health challenge, with 80% saying it can’t be solved with quick fixes, according to new research released this week. Instead, those surveyed favor a comprehensive approach that accounts for the many pressures facing children today, as opposed to narrow strategies that only target phones and similar devices. 

The findings, from the Coalition to Empower our Future (CEF), surveyed 600 Floridians — including more than 300 parents — and found strong concern about the state of youth mental health. Nearly 70% of respondents said young people in their communities struggle to access mental health support and resources when they need them. Many reported knowing children or teens dealing with mental health challenges, but not knowing where to turn for help. 

“Mental health challenges among young people aren’t new, but what’s changing is our understanding of just how complex and widespread they are. Parents know this issue demands real investment, long-term thinking, and a willingness to address everything from school environments to family stress,” said former Rep. Carlos Curbelo, who serves on the coalition’s board. “This research should push all of us to act with urgency and carefully consider all of the contributing factors to youth mental health challenges.”

Parents Want More Than Single-Issue Solutions

Floridians told researchers that youth mental health is shaped by many factors — from home life and peer pressure to substance use and devices. Narrow solutions, they said, ignore the full complexity and could result in solutions that don’t address the full breadth of the challenge. 

“Mental health challenges stem from multiple interconnected factors, so addressing only one is like fixing one leak while ignoring the structural problems,” one Florida parent said during online discussions accompanying the survey.

Another Florida parent said, “because youth mental health is influenced by so many contributing factors, a comprehensive approach is needed to address them all.”

Support was especially strong for practical measures, such as expanding access to counseling, providing parents with resources and training teachers to spot early warning signs.

A National Concern

Florida’s findings are part of a larger, 10-state survey conducted by CEF in partnership with Mercury Analytics. More than 6,000 voters nationwide were surveyed, alongside nearly 300 parents and voters who participated in online conversations.

Across the country, more than 70% of respondents echoed the desire for a comprehensive approach. A majority also described the state of youth mental health as “bad and getting worse.”

“Parents intuitively understand that these pressures don’t all look the same, and so we need to be looking at the challenge holistically,” said Glen Weiner, CEF’s executive director. “The research affirms this intuition and underscores an important opportunity for us to come together and have a comprehensive conversation.” 

Parents also noted that youth mental health care is difficult to access and that stigma and gaps in resources often leave families on their own.  

Solutions Must Be Comprehensive 

The research underscores a growing demand for broader collaboration and more comprehensive solutions. Parents and voters across the political spectrum emphasized that recognizing each child’s unique circumstances is essential in crafting fulsome solutions that address the many complex root factors.

“This research shows what many parents have felt for a long time: the youth mental health challenge is complex. The struggles young people face today aren’t rooted in just one cause, and they won’t be solved with just one fix,” said January Contreras, former Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, who also serves on the coalition’s board.

According to the research, many Florida parents want solutions that reflect the real, lived complexity of youth mental health.

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