New study links employee burnout to pediatric mental health issues

Timely mental health care for children not only improves outcomes for young patients but also significantly reduces burnout and workplace disruption for their caregivers. 

According to new research from Bend Health, a pediatric mental health service provider, supporting youth mental health has far reaching implications for overall family wellness, as well as employee productivity.

Analyzing data from more than 6,500 caregivers whose children received care from Bend Health, nearly half of caregivers (46%) reported elevated levels of burnout, and nearly a third (29%) had missed work due to their child's mental health challenges at the start of treatment. These caregivers often faced high levels of stress, emotional fatigue and sleep disruptions — all hallmarks of chronic caregiver strain.

Read more: Why working parents would benefit from pediatric mental health benefits 

Yet measurable improvements were seen as early as one month into their child's treatment: Half of the caregivers with elevated burnout experienced improvement, and 73% of those who had previously missed work reported fewer absences, according to Bend Health's data. By the end of the care period, 69% of caregivers reported reduced burnout, and 87% missed fewer days at work.

"These results validate what we hear from families every day — when a child is struggling, it takes a toll on everyone," Dr. Monika Roots, co-founder, chief medical officer and president of Bend Health, said in a release. "The encouraging part is that effective pediatric care doesn't just help kids feel better. It helps parents function better both at home and at work."

A workforce issue hiding in plain sight

The findings emerge against a backdrop of growing national concern around parental mental health. In 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory warning of a crisis in caregiver well-being, linking it to emotional distress, sleep disruption, and lost work productivity. During the pandemic, 78% of working caregivers spent more than two hours weekly managing a child's mental health — and 85% reported workplace productivity losses as a result, according to academic research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, a peer-reviewed journal. 

Read more: 74% of parents miss work to care for their kids — and it's costing employers billions 

As employers seek strategies to retain talent and improve workforce mental health, supporting employees' families — especially their children — is proving to be a high-impact, underutilized approach. 

"Employers are realizing that benefits can't stop at the employee," Dr. Roots said. "When you help their children, you're actually helping your team show up, stay focused and stay healthy."

Recommendations for benefit managers

Given the clear links between pediatric mental health and workforce productivity, benefit managers are uniquely positioned to lead on family-focused mental health strategies. One key step is to expand mental health coverage to include dependents, ensuring health plans offer robust coverage for pediatric services, such as therapy, psychiatric care, and digital behavioral tools. Early intervention is critical and more cost-effective in the long run.

Offering flexible work arrangements is another important approach. Providing hybrid schedules, mental health days, or adaptable hours can help caregivers better manage their dual responsibilities at work and home.

In addition, employers should invest in family-centered wellness programs. Extending employee assistance programs (EAPs) and wellness resources to include parenting support groups, caregiver coaching, and educational content about managing children's behavioral health can be immensely beneficial.

Read more: You may be investing in the wrong wellness benefits

Finally, building a culture of openness around mental health is crucial. Employers should normalize conversations about family wellness and equip managers with the training to support team members facing caregiving stress.

"Caregivers with children who have unmet mental health needs are under a lot of stress and pressure," Dr. Lisa Hunter Romanelli, CEO of pediatric mental health training nonprofit REACH, previously told EBN. "The more children's needs are met, the better caregivers can focus on their jobs."